With just weeks to go before the 9th National Youth Games kick off in Asaba, Delta State, technical experts from the National Sports Commission, state sports commissions, and sports federations have carried out a comprehensive inspection of competition venues and athletes’ accommodations across the capital.

The inspection, conducted in three groups, covered the Stephen Keshi Stadium’s main bowl track, the multipurpose indoor sports halls, and the Olympic-size swimming pool. The tour also extended to the Hockey Complex in Okpanam, the Cenotaph (for volleyball and handball), the Government House Squash Court, and courts for basketball, tennis, and fives.

At the hockey venue, General Manager of Ekiti State Sports Commission, Lawrence Mayowa Ogundele, praised the quality of the pitch, calling it “standard and well-prepared,” but noted minor adjustments that would ensure “a smooth and competitive tournament.” South-South Hockey representative, Felix Gheghor, added that the goalposts would be modified to suit the junior-level competition.

Other venues visited included the Ibori Golf Course, Dennis Osadebe University hostels, Technical College Asaba (for rugby and accommodation), the Ibusa-Asaba Expressway for cycling, Saint Patrick College Hall for boxing, its field for cricket and football, and the AGGS grounds for Abula.

Following the tour, the technical committee held a strategic session in Asaba, with the Director for Grassroots Sports Development, Amaka Asheofu, representing the Commission’s DG promising a more successful Games than previous editions. She acknowledged the host state’s decision to drop certain sports such as baseball, softball, deaf table tennis, and beach volleyball due to accommodation constraints but assured that all remaining events would run seamlessly.

The 9th National Youth Games will run from August 26 to September 6, drawing the nation’s best young talents to Delta State for nearly two weeks of intense sporting action.