The seventh edition of the National Youth Games has kicked off in Asaba, Delta State, with more than 4,500 athletes competing in 11 different sports events. These games will run from September 23 to September 30, taking place at various venues in Asaba.
The sports featured in these games include athletics, basketball, cricket, chess, football, judo, golf, handball, scrabble, Taekwondo, and volleyball. The opening ceremony, which is expected to be attended by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, will be held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
Senator John Enoh emphasized that the primary focus of these games is to discover and nurture young talents in various sports. The goal is to provide a platform for these young athletes to showcase their abilities and potentially become future stars at the elite level.
He stated, “At this level of sports, our major focus as a nation will not be to win, but to provide a platform for new talents to find expression. We want to have a working system that churns out talents for the nation, and at the same time provide a platform for these talented individuals to be the best version of themselves.”
The National Youth Games are designed for athletes who are 15 years and under. It serves as a crucial stepping stone to identify and groom future sports stars who can follow in the footsteps of accomplished athletes like Victor Osimhen, Tobi Amusan, Funke Oshonaike, and Aruna Quadri. These games play a vital role in developing the next generation of Nigerian sports talent.
