BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
NOT less than 5,776 athletes from 29 states of the federation had arrived and screened as at Wednesday, September 11, for this year’s 8th National Youth Games, which kick off on Thursday, September 12, in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Tagged ‘Asaba 2024,’ the games would be declared open at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori assuring that the state was prepared to host the country’s sporting youth.
Speaking after an on the spot inspection of facilities at the stadium, the governor expressed satisfaction with the state of facilities at the stadium and other venues hosting different sports, noting: “We are ready to host the National Youth Games. You know, tomorrow is the opening ceremony. As of this morning, 29 states have arrived, and 5,776 athletes have been registered. I am confident that this year’s event will be even better than last year’s.
Oborevwori, who was led on the inspection by Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, and top officials of the State Sports Commission, said this year’s edition promises to bring more glamour and panache in the hosting by Delta State, which is the back to back winners of the event since inception.
The governor welcomed with loud ovations by athletes at the main bowl of the stadium, said the records of Deltans, such as Favour Ofili and Ibusa-born Bose Omolayo, who excelled in the 79 kg powerlifting event at the just-concluded Paris 2024 Paralympic, would be surpassed at this year’s games, adding: “You can see the results from the last Olympics in Paris. Favour Ofili performed exceptionally well, even though she didn’t win a medal. She is a product of these games.”
“We are hoping to discover talents even better than Ofili in this year’s games. I assure our people that this year will surpass the previous one.”
Oborevwori urged all athletes screened and confirmed to play by the rules and adhere to the rules and regulations guiding their activities in their various sports.
Earlier, Ogba said the LOC had ensured judicious application of funds approved for the hosting in such a manner that all facilities required to host a top-notch youth games met internationally accepted standards.
Apart from the main bowl of the stadium, where track and field and football events would hold, the governor also inspected the indoor sports hall, where basketball, volleyball, badminton events would hold, as well as the shooting range and swimming pool complex, among others.
