In the aftermath of the bizarre performance of team Nigeria in the recent Summer Olympics, held in Paris, France, Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to direct more investments into sports development in the country.
Tinubu made the promise in Asaba, the Delta State capital, Thursday, 12th September, when he declared open the 8th edition of the National Youth Games being hosted by the Delta State.
According to President Tinubu who was represented at the event by the Minister of Sports, Sen. John Eno, the National Youth Games was devoted to talent hunting and talent nurturing.
He Said, “there is not better way to develop our sports that to pay attention to grassroot sports which the National Youth Games represent. And there is no better time for this event to hold, coming immediately after the Olympics and Paralympics.
“The National Youth Games can only make sense only if after the games, we follow up for the different programs for the discovered athletes. Throughout the seven previous editions of these games, these games have become a beacon of hope to the rejuvenation of the sport sector. I have not doubt that the eight edition we are gathered for will further advance this course.
“It is therefore imperative that we invest more in grassroot sports development. Under the leadership of the current president and that of the ministry of sports development, we are truly committed and dedicated to implementing the policies and programmes that will drive and Carter for sports development needs of our nation.
“Everybody knows that for the 2024 Olympics, the outcome was a fiasco for team Nigeria. I therefore think that this National Youth Games, coming after that fiasco, even though the Paralympics games did better for our country, we must continue to do this games, we must continue to use these games as talent ground for the future of our sports.
“A few days ago in a program on Arise News I admitted that our sports was in a decline and the only reason why our sports is in decline is because of the aging of our sports men and women and the only way we can replace those aged athletes is to organize the National Youth Games as we are doing, is to discover the talents out of these games and is to nurture these talents
“My hope is that the different sporting Federations, representing the sporting Federations of our country are here in ground to to watch the games related to their different sports and to be able to discover firsthand the talents that needs to be nurtured for the future of our sports.”
Speaking further, the President said it would return back to the 17 years age limit for participation in the event from the current 15 years, conceding to the request by the host Governor, Sheriff Oborewori of Delta State.
In his address, the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborewori, stressed the need for sporting events to be made compulsory in schools across board.
He assured that everything had been put in place by the state to ensure seamless sporting competition, commending the Federal government and the Local Organizing Committee of the state for their steadfastness in organizing the competition.
He pointed that with the about 6000 participating athletes, and over 1000 officials, this year’s event was record breaking one, expressing optimism that at the end of the ten days event, Nigeria sports will take another giant leap forward with the discovery of new talents and new records.
Oborewori said, “it could be recalled that our daughter, our sister, a Deltan, Favour Ofili who qualified for the 200 metre finals at the 2024 Olympics, was the most valuable athlete in the 2017 edition of the National Youth Games held in Illorin, Kwara state. Although Ofili did not win a medal, she made Nigeria proud by her performance.
“The National Youth Games is a powerful vehicle for athletes development. Permit me to say that athletes development is not just about sport performance but also development of social and ethical skills. As I observed last year, the National Youth Games has pro event to be cost effective and veritable vehicle to promote national unity and advance development and peace agenda of both the national and sub national government. I’m sure that before the end of this event, new friendship would be form amongst our athletes which will promote national unity in the country.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman Local Organizing Committee of the event, Chief Solomon Ogba, said the state was not new to hosting major sport events, which came with fantastic results.
While pointing that the committee has put all the necessary sports and transportation facilities in place for the athletes to enjoy their stay, he urged them to comport themselves and savour the opportunity of participating in the event.
