Sports
NYG Veritable Platform for Discovering, Nurturing Talents – Tinubu
The 9th National Youth Games officially kicked off on Friday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declaring the event open.
The President was represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications and former Minister of Sports Mr. Sunday Dare.
In his remarks, President Tinubu described the Games as a “veritable platform for discovering and nurturing talents” that have gone on to represent Nigeria at local, continental, and international levels.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, stressing that sports remain a unifying force for the nation.
“Very recently, we witnessed the President, alongside the First Lady, cheering the Super Falcons and the D’Tigress. That show of support underscores the administration’s firm commitment to continue investing in sports and strengthening development across the country,” he said.
The President commended the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for their efforts in promoting youth and grassroots development.
He also lauded the Delta State Government for hosting the Games, noting that Asaba has gradually become the headquarters of sports competitions in Nigeria.
Declaring the Games open, Tinubu wished the athletes well, praying that “the best teams, the best states, and the best athletes will shine.”
Speaking on behalf of the host state, Delta Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, described the event as a celebration of Nigeria’s youth, unity, and future.
He said Delta State, regarded as the Home of Champions, has consistently produced sports icons such as Stephen Keshi, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, Blessing Okagbare, and Ese Brume.
According to him, the state has continued to back this tradition with heavy investments in modern sporting facilities, youth empowerment, and grassroots competitions.
“Hosting this Games for the third time in a row is a proof of our commitment to grassroots sports. We believe in catching them young, giving our youth the platform to excel and bring glory to Nigeria,” he added.
Chairman of the Main Organising Committee and Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the Youth Games as central to building a strong pathway that links grassroots talent to elite performance and podium success.
Earlier, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Onoriode Oborevwori, assured participants of an excellent hosting experience.
“From upgraded facilities to efficient logistics and a welcoming environment, Asaba is set to offer not just a sporting event, but a memorable experience,” he said.
Established in 2013, the National Youth Games serves as a platform for talent discovery and national unity. Delta State, hosting for the third consecutive time, has dominated the competition by winning all eight previous editions.
This year, over 6,000 athletes from across the country are competing for medals in 37 sports at the Games.
It’s no retreat, no surrender for Team Nasarawa as a 154-man contingent has landed in Ilorin, Kwara State, for the North Central Zonal Eliminations of the 9th National Youth Games.
The delegation, made up of athletes, coaches, sports secretaries, medical and media crew, security operatives, and top officials, left Lafia on Saturday and touched down in Ilorin with high hopes of conquering their zone.
Team Nasarawa will slug it out in five major sports—football, basketball, handball, volleyball, and hockey—against rivals from Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Niger, and the FCT. The qualifiers are held from August 16 to 18, 2025, at the Kwara State Stadium, with the team departing on the 19th.
Director of Sports Organising, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Ubah Musa, who is leading the delegation, said the team is fired up to make the state proud.
“Our boys and girls are ready. They know what is at stake, and they will give everything to qualify for Asaba. The expectations are high from our governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, and from the good people of Nasarawa State. We won’t disappoint,” Musa assured.
Winners from the zonal eliminations will fly the North Central flag at the National Youth Games proper, scheduled for August 26 to September 6 in Asaba, Delta State. All 36 states and the FCT will compete.
Since its inception in 2013, Team Nasarawa has never missed an edition of the Games, and this year, they say it’s “all or nothing.”
Nigeria has stepped up its push to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games with a high-level meeting in London between officials of the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Olympic Committee, and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
According to a press statement made available to Sunday PUNCH, the delegation, led by NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, met CGF executives to discuss Nigeria’s expression of interest, submitted earlier this year, and to review the next stage of the bidding process.
The team also included NSC Director-General Bukola Olapade, NOC President and International Olympic Committee executive member Habu Gumel, NOC Vice-President Solomon Ogba, and Secretary-General Tunde Popola, alongside technical experts and advisors.
Talks in London centred on the country’s objectives for staging the Games, as well as requirements for the final bid.
According to the NSC, issues discussed included the Code of Conduct for candidate cities, communication protocols, timelines, and the expectations of the federation.
The CGF has recently introduced new measures aimed at making the event more sustainable and affordable for hosts. Nigerian officials said the meeting was an opportunity to align the country’s vision with those reforms.
Highlighting the domestic context, the NSC said the delegation presented the reforms underway in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu, which places hosting major sporting events at the centre of national economic and cultural development.
“The NSC believes hosting the Commonwealth Games will deliver immense value to Nigeria,” the commission said, stressing that the event would contribute to wealth creation “across sports, diplomacy, economy, culture, and social development.”
Nigeria is now expected to prepare its final submission before the August 31 deadline.
Officials said the document would be forwarded subject to presidential approval, with the CGF scheduled to announce its decision before the end of the year.
Nigeria’s D’Tigers will look to seal a perfect group-stage record when they face Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in their final Group B clash at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket on Sunday in Luanda, The Tidesports source reports.
The game at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda tips off at 5:30pm Nigerian time, with victory guaranteeing Nigeria top spot and direct passage to the quarter-finals on August 20 and defeat leaving them vulnerable to dropping into the qualification placement round a day earlier.
The D’Tigers have opened their campaign in style, brushing aside hosts Angola before overpowering reigning champions Tunisia 87-66 on Friday.
Josh Okogie was the star against Tunisia, pouring in 33 points to continue his standout tournament form.
Nigeria and Cameroon have faced off three times in AfroBasket competition since 2009, with the D’Tigers leading the head-to-head 2-1.
Their most recent meeting came in the 2017 quarter-finals, when Nigeria triumphed 106-91.
Cameroon, however, arrive in Luanda with their own ambitions. The Lions have averaged 83 points per game at the tournament so far and lead Nigeria in both rebounds (46 to 42.5) and assists (18 to 15), which underlines their capacity to test the West Africans.
A win would hand Nigeria valuable rest days before the quarter-finals, while also reinforcing their credentials as title contenders in Angola. For Cameroon, toppling the D’Tigers would not only earn first place in Group B but also provide a psychological boost ahead of the knockout stages.
Nigeria forward Devine Eke expressed delight after the team’s latest victory, but maintained that the players are keeping their focus on the bigger prize. He stressed that while the result was important, the ultimate goal is to win the championship.
Eke highlighted how the D’Tigers stuck to instructions and worked as a unit, crediting the collective effort for the team’s strong display. He pointed out that every player embraced their responsibility, which made the difference in securing the win.
“We feel good about the win. The job is not done, but I feel we can win this whole thing. We feel really good. We executed well. We followed our coach’s game plan. Everyone played their role, and if everyone continues to do that, anything is possible,” Eke said.
The 31st edition of AfroBasket, hosted by Angola for the fourth time, runs until August 24. Nigeria last won the competition in 2015, and after a strong start, belief is growing that they can mount another championship run.
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