By Anne Azuka
The 8th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG), themed “Asaba 2024,” was officially inaugurated by Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who charged athletes, officials, and the Ministry of Sports to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the games, emphasizing the need to avoid age cheating, doping, and other malpractices.
Represented by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, President Tinubu lamented the country’s declining success in sports, attributing it partly to the aging of athletes and the prevalence of age cheating.
Speaking at the Stephen Keshi Olympic-size Stadium, where the games were declared open, Tinubu emphasized the importance of discovering and nurturing young talent through the NYG. “My hope is that the various sports federations are present to witness the games and identify talents that need nurturing for the future of our sports,” he said.
The president affirmed his administration’s commitment to repositioning sports for optimal performance, in line with its Renewed Hope Agenda, and highlighted the need for increased investment in grassroots sports development.
The Youth Games, Tinubu noted, serve as a platform for talent discovery, urging the Ministry of Sports to revert to the original age limit of 17 years and below for participants.
The opening ceremony saw a dazzling display by 6,000 athletes and 1,000 officials from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with contingents marching in their traditional colors. Team Delta, the defending champions, led the colorful parade at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
President Tinubu praised the Delta State Government for being exemplary hosts, expressing his admiration for the ceremony, which he said surpassed last year’s edition.
In his address, Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori commended the Federal Ministry of Sports Development for its continued support in organizing the National Youth Games. He welcomed the athletes and officials to Asaba, highlighting Delta’s rich sports history and encouraging the state’s athletes to defend their championship title.
“We are proud to host this event for the second consecutive year. Delta State is synonymous with sports in Nigeria, and we are pleased to provide a platform for the nation’s youths to showcase their talents,” Oborevwori said.
He also emphasized the importance of reverting the age limit for the NYG to the original under-17 category to ensure a seamless transition from junior to senior competitions for young athletes. The governor urged states to prioritize school sports programs, recommending compulsory inter-house sports competitions in primary and secondary schools.
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, praised Delta State’s commitment to sports and thanked the government for its support. He assured athletes and officials of adequate accommodation and transportation throughout the games.
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