Sports
Delta Expresses Readiness To Host NYG
The Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa,who doubles as the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has set the ball rolling ahead of the 7th National Youth Games.
In his opening speech at the joint technical meeting of delegates from across the country, he assured the directors of sports of a hitch- free competition, adding that there will be nothing to worry about.
The sports administrator said preparations are in top gear for the games scheduled to take place in Asaba.
The event billed for September 7 to 17,2023 will feature about 30 sports which target is discovering and nurturing talented athletes for future stardom.
The sports lined up for the tournament of under 15s include athletics, boxing, basketball,beach volleyball, canoeing, football, handball, hockey, table tennis, karate and wrestling.
Others include para athletics, chess, squash, scrabble, swimming, judo, weightlifting, golf, rugby and tennis.
Proposed venues to be used are the Government House squash court, Ibori Golf Course, Westend Secondary School, Asaba, the Cynotaph, mainbowl, indoor halls, swimming pool and other facilities in the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Other venues are the hockey pitch at Okpanam, Admiralty University, Ibusa and Lander Brothers Anchorage, Asaba.
The national youth games has served as a platform for identifying young athletes since its inception.
The maiden edition took place in Abuja and Kwara State has hosted the last five editions.
However, for the 7th edition, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports decided to award the hosting rights to Delta State.
The last edition of the games featured a total of 37 sport events, with Delta emerging overall champion, amassing a total of 104 medals, comprising 60 gold, 26 silver and 28 bronze.