By Seun Adams
In what some sports analysts referred to as a state that is gaining momentum as Mecca of Nigeria’s sports, Delta has stepped up again to host the 7th edition of the National Youth Games.
It is now (OFFICIAL) that the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development has awarded the Hosting Rights for the 7th National Youth Games to the oil rich state.
The choice of Delta State was reached at a meeting of Stakeholders for the Games, which held on the sidelines of the recently concluded 21st National Sports Festival, Mr. Mohammed Manga, Director of Communications/PR posted in a statement made available to EXTRAORDINAIRE on Thursday.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ismaila Abubakar, stated that the National Youth Games has since inception become a veritable ground for harvesting the huge talents that abound within the country.
According to him, “Many of the discovered athletes have been nurtured to elite level by the Ministry where several of them have been excelling at the international stage by posting podium performance for the country.”
Other objectives of the Game according to him, is to “promote National Unity; curb age cheating in Sports and Youth restiveness as well as establish a standard programme for athletes’ succession”, amongst others.
Ismaila, assured that the Ministry is poised to ensuring that the gains and objectives of the Youth Games are sustained hence, the Ministry’s determination to seek for an alternative host venue for the National Youth Games.
The newly appointed host, he added, has indicated its interest to host the Games at the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State.
The State has equally expressed its readiness to host the Games from February 8-18, 2023, as unanimously agreed by the stakeholders at a virtual meeting that took place on Wednesday, January 4.
