President Bola Tinubu has declared the 8th edition of the National Youth Games tagged Asaba 2024 open with a call on the need to see the youth Games as a means of reviving the dwindling Nigeria’s Sports sector .
President Tinubu stated this at the iconic Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State during the opening ceremony of the games.
He also stressed the value of grassroots sports development in fostering the growth of young athletes and bolstering the nation’s standing in international sports.
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The Minister of Sports development, Senator John Enoh who spoke on behalf of the President emphasised the value of grassroots sports development in fostering future champions and advancing national unity at a ceremony that drew together young athletes and authorities from all throughout the country.
He reaffirmed the importance of developing grassroots athletes in creating a robust sports industry, pointing out that this competition is essential for spotting and developing future talent.
“In today’s world, sports play a crucial role in creating wealth, promoting peace, fostering national unity, and facilitating international diplomacy.
“This is why the current administration, under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is committed to repositioning the sector for optimal performance in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In light of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024, Senator Enoh advocated for a renewed emphasis on grassroots development.
He emphasised the necessity for a framework that guarantees thorough nurturing from the entry level of competition to the elite levels, going beyond talent identification.
The Minister also praised the efforts of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, for his ongoing support of grassroots sports, especially during this difficult time to host a national event.
Together with the Federal Capital Territory’s Minister, Tinubu also thanked the governors of the participating states for their steadfast sponsorship and support of their state delegations.
Insisting that they compete honourably and follow the rules, he urged on competitors and referees to exhibit the Fair Play spirit.
“This year’s edition of the National Youth Games presents yet another opportunity to initiate the process of athlete development for the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic champions and the setting of world records,” he added.
During his speech, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori promised Delta State’s cooperation with the federal government in order to guarantee that the National Youth Games’ goals are accomplished.
The Governor emphasised the value of sports as an affordable and dependable means of fostering national cohesion, optimising growth, and constructing peaceful bridges between the federal and local governments.
While he supported raising the game’s age limit from the current 15 years to 17 years, he also pointed out that the nation’s sports performance had declined recently and called for immediate action to buck the trend.
He felt that this would benefit the country’s sports development.
In addition to congratulating the athletes on making it to the games, Oborevwori asked them to compete fairly and put in a lot of effort to win gold for their states.
He also gave them assurances that sufficient preparations would be made to ensure that their stay in Asaba would be comfortable and safe.
Earlier in his welcome speech, Chief Solomon Ogba, the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his enormous financial and moral support of Delta officials, athletes, coaches, and the State Sports Commission.
He emphasized that this support was a major source of inspiration for the LOC as they prepared to host.
Chief Ogba encouraged the athletes and officials of the participating states to relish the thrill of the competition, saying that the games promised to be a memorable experience for them.
This year’s National Youth Games is expected to be historic, with 4,585 participants and 1,159 officials allowed to compete, the biggest number in history since the inception of the National Youth Games.