2023 National Youth Games: Team Nasarawa steps up preparations with Zonal elimination

Posted : 13 August 2023

The Nasarawa State Government has charged the State's Contingent to the Zonal Eliminations of the National Youth Games to exceed all expectations by winning the available slots reserved for the North Central Zone in Team Sports ahead of the main Event in Asaba, Delta State, next month.

Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, gave the charge at the Lafia City Stadium while bidding farewell to the State's Contingent to Jos, Plateau State, where the Zonal Eliminations will take place.

Danladi pointed out that the Governor Sule administration has invested so much in youth and sports in order to give young people and related stakeholders the opportunity to become productive and self-reliant and by extension contribute their portion to the society.

"It's a thing of joy that we are going to participate in the Zonal Eliminations, which was initially scheduled to take place in Ilorin kwara state and made possible by our sports-loving Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule through the approval of adequate funds.

"From your travel outfits, you should know that this is the first time we will be going for a major competition well-kitted this way. We must also thank the Governor for making us actualize this.

"We must take advantage of the proximity of the Event's venue to come back with results.

"This is a preparation for the main Event coming up later in the year in Asaba, Delta State. So, if you want to be at the main Event, you have to put in your best", he said.

He disclosed that all entitlements for the Contingent to enable them have a successful outing in Jos have been provided by the State Government.

"Everything needed for your welfare has been provided by the Government. Therefore, to whom much is given, much is expected, and that is why we are going into the qualifiers with sports that we have comparative advantage. We are not going for a tea party but to make the State and ourselves proud.

"We hope that before the end of the Governor Sule's administration, some of the budding talents we have in sports would become good exports, because, sports has become a multi-billion dollar business today."

The Permanent Secretary, while congratulating the athletes for being selected, admonished them to be worthy ambassadors of the State throughout the duration of the Zonal Eliminations.

"Nasarawa State is synonymous with discipline; You are all young boys. Ensure you help to bring pride to the State, yourselves, your families and the Nation; Be good ambassadors and make sure you uphold the tenets and principles of what the State stands for as we won't tolerate any negative commentaries from Jos.

"On that note, on behalf of the Government and the good people of our noble Nasarawa State, I wish you a safe journey, good luck and hope to see you back in flying colours."

Team Nasarawa will be going into the Zonal Eliminations with a total of 126-member Contingent made up of 74 Athletes, nine Coaches, five Sports Secretaries and 38 Accompanying Officials, and will feature in five Team Sports, namely, Basketball(Male), Football(Male), Handball(Male), Hockey(Male) and Volleyball(Male), with the Ministry's Director of Sports Organizing, Mr. Lawrence Shammah, leading the delegation.

The National Youth Games is for athletes below fifteen years with the Zonal Eliminations taking place from 11th to 14th August, 2023, at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos, Plateau State.

Participating States at the North Central Zonal level include Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau(hosts) and F.C.T., Abuja.

2023 National Youth Games: Team Nasarawa steps up preparations with Zonal elimination

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics