8th National Youth Games Gets New Date
By: Jude Agbeyeke.
The 8th edition of the National Youth Games which had been earlier scheduled to commence on the 10th of September 2024 has been shifted by a dy and will now commence on the 9th of September 2024.
The Minister for Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh represented by the Director Grassroots Sports Development in the Ministry, Mr Patrick Okeke made the adjustment during the just concluded Joint Technical Committee Meeting of the 8th edition of the National Youth Games which held at the Steven Keshi International Stadium Asaba venue of the next games.
Senator Enoh said the date was brought back by one day due to the Gubernatorial elections in Edo State on 21 September which would lead to a total lockdown and restriction of movement.
He said if the earlier date was sustained it would see various contingents from the South West who would pass through Edo State on their way back to their states violating the restriction order.
The Minister also revealed that the Zonal eliminations would commence on the 28th of August to the 1st of September while registration will commence from 24th to 28th of August and it would be done online.
He however thanked the Delta State Government for it’s commitment towards cadet sports development saying the State had shown it’s readiness to host the rest of Nigeria again.
The Minister appealed that the little renovation work spotted during the inspection of the various facilities be attended to swiftly to ensure a hitch free games.
The Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Festus Ohwojero while assuring the various contingents arriving the National Youth Games of a memorable outing said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori remained committed to delivering an enhanced sports fiesta that would take the National Youth Games to a higher pedestal.
Mr Ohwojero averred that Governor Oborevwori had made all that was necessary to host one of the best games available. He asserted that the governors intention was clear as he had put in place egg heads in the Nations sports industry into the Local Organizing Committee with the former President of the Athletics Federation Chief Solomon Ogba who was also a former Commissioner of Sport Development as Chairman.
He said the immediate past Chairman of the Sports Commission and President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Chief Tonobok Okowa as well as the President of the Aquatics Federation of Nigeria Chief Chino ye Dafe, a former Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Victor Onogagamue who was a onetime Chairman of the Nigeria Directors of Sports as well as renowned Sports presenter, Harrison Ocholor and grassroots sports administrator Mr Onoriode Oborevwori as members.
The Director General stressed that it was a clear indication that this year’s games would be like no other before it as Governor Oborevwori was committed to doing more for the Sports sector in line with his MORE AGENDA.
Mr Ohwojero however enjoined the various contingents to compete free and fair saying there would be no place for age cheats at the 8th edition of the National Youth Games which would be held at the Steven Keshi International Stadium Asaba.
Other members of the Joint Technical Committee who spoke among several issues raised sought to clarify the number of Sports that would be competed for with the body ratifying the inclusion of Kick boxing and Kung fu as part of the events that would be medal awarding at the games.
36 sports would be competed for at the 8th National Youth Games with the age limit put at Under 15 years.
