All is now set for the hosting of the 7th edition of the National Youth Games in Delta state, beginning from tomorrow through to 30th September, 2023.
Briefing newsmen today on the preparedness of the state for the games, the Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, said the sporting facilities, venues, hostels and organisational structures, including security, were at their best.
He said over four thousand athletes from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory were expected to arrive in Asaba tomorrow for screening, which would take place on 21st and 22nd of September, while the opening ceremony would be on Saturday, 23rd September, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The Sports Commission Chairman stated that the screening of the athletes would be thorough and painstaking, using the National Identification Number (NIN), physical appearance, last school result, International Passport, birth certificate, among other means of identification, to ensure that only athletes aged 15 and below were on the contingents.
Chief Okowa further stated that the athletes would be competing in 35 sporting events which would take place in over 20 venues, assuring that Delta would maintain its hosting to win streak.
He thanked the State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwiei, for approving the release of funds for the sports meet and urged the athletes and officials to be ethical about the games, as misconducts, including doping, would not be condoned.
The Sports Administrator, who is also the President, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Africa Athletics Region (Zone 2), West Africa, said the state was not unconscious of the fact that some challenges might be experienced in the course of the games, pointing out that adequate arrangements were in place to handles such situations.
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