The 8th edition of the National Youth Games earlier scheduled to commence on September 10, 2024, has been brought backward by one day and will now commence on September 9, 2024.
The Minister for Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh, announced the shift in date 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.
Senator Enoh, who was represented by the Director, Grassroots Sports Development, Mr Patrick Okeke, said the date adjustment was due to the Edo State Gubernatorial election scheduled for 21st September, 2024, during which there would be 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 August 28 and end on 1st September, while registration would be online from August 24 to August 28.
He thanked the Delta State Government for its commitment to cadet sports development, saying that the state had shown its readiness to host the rest of Nigeria again.
The Minister appealed to the relevant authorities to expedite action on the renovation of the facilities spotted during the inspection tour of the stadium to ensure a hitch free hosting of the games.
The Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Festus Ohwojero, while assuring the contingents to 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 the Governor had ensured that all necessary arrangements for the hosting were perfected to make the event one of the best games.
He asserted that the Governor’s 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 of Nigeria, Chief Solomon Ogba, who was also a former Commissioner of Sport Development as Chairman.
Mr Ohwojero said the LOC also had the immediate past Chairman of the Commission and current President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Chief Tonobok Okowa, the President of the Aquatics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Chinonye Aliyu Daphey, a former Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Victor Onogagamue, a renowned sports presenter, Harrison Ocholor and grassroots sports administrator Mr Onoriode Oborevwori, as members.
The DG expressed optimism that this year’s games would be second to none, as Governor Oborevwori was committed to doing more for the sports sector in line with his MORE Agenda.
He however urged the various contingents to compete free and fair, saying that 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 clarifications on 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.
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