Delta State gets ready for 8th National Youth Games

Posted : 06 September 2024

After months of preparation, the Delta State government says it is fully set to host the 8th National Youth Games.

Delta State hosted the 7th edition of the Youth Games last year, with virtually all the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in attendance.

Now, the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori-led government is looking forward to hosting a bigger and better National Youth Games from September 9-19, 2024.

Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, said all logistics needed to host a successful event have been put in place.

Specifically, Ogba, a former Commissioner for Sports in Delta State and two-time President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), said this year’s edition of the National Youth Games would be a significant milestone in the history of Nigerian sports.

The Stephen Keshi Stadium, the main venue for the Games, is now sporting a new look, with new facilities added to enhance the Games.

From the main bowl of Stephen Keshi Stadium to the swimming pool and the two indoor sports halls, the impact of the state’s readiness for the 8th National Youth Games is clearly visible.

The opening ceremony for the Asaba 2024 National Youth Games will be held on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, following their outstanding performance at the North-East Zonal elimination for the 8th National Youth Games, Asaba 2024, Bauchi State Director of Sports Usman Yusuf has stated that the state contingent is well-prepared to promote the “Bauchi Agenda” of the state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, at the competition.

Team Bauchi, which competed in 13 events at the zonal elimination held in Jalingo, Taraba State, finished with 5 gold and 8 silver medals, qualifying them to compete in 10 ball sports when the Youth Games open in Asaba, Delta State.

“Our athletes' outstanding performance outshone our opponents, qualifying us to represent the zone in cricket (male team), rugby (male and female), volleyball (female team), handball (female team), basketball (male and female teams), hockey (female team), and beach volleyball (male and female teams) at the National Youth Games,” Yusuf enthused.

According to him, the success story of the 222-man Team Bauchi at the North-East Zonal Elimination stems from the moral and financial support provided by the state governor, who has shown keen interest in developing the state’s sports industry for the purposeful development of youth and considers sports a viable profession and socio-political instrument for national unity, in line with his “My Bauchi Agenda.”

He assured the government and people of Bauchi State that the state contingent to the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, under his watch, will not take the victory at the zonal elimination for granted but will build on their efforts to achieve more success at the Youth Games and justify the government’s substantial investment in the project.

Yusuf also commended the Bauchi State Commissioner of Sports, Mohammed Salis Gamawa, for his exemplary leadership and for being a good ambassador of Governor Bala Mohammed by promoting sporting activities and ensuring the revival of Bauchi State’s reputation as a hub for sports in Nigeria.

It should be noted that Bauchi hosted one of the best National Sports Festivals in the year 2000, where Team Delta emerged as the winner for the first time. Bauchi had also hosted the National Sports Festival in 1991.

Delta State gets ready for 8th National Youth Games

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