Joel Ajayi
As preparations for the 8th National Youth Games reach their final stages, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has called on state contingents to bring young athletes who will represent the next generation of sports stars in Nigeria.
The Games Village for the Asaba 2024 National Youth Games officially opened on Monday, September 9, ahead of the event’s opening ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, September 11.
The Minister emphasized that the youth games present a prime opportunity for states to showcase and nurture their most promising talents, who could become the nation’s future champions.
“This is the moment for states to invest in the future of Nigerian sports. We must identify, nurture, and expose our young athletes to high-level competition, preparing them to take over from the current stars”.
“The National Youth Games are a crucial platform for talent discovery and development”, Senator Enoh stated. “When the likes of Amusan and Oborodudu bow out, we must ensure the next generation are ready to collect the baton and shine on the stage”.
The 8th edition of the National Youth Games will take place from September 9 to 19, with athletes set to compete in various sporting disciplines. The opening ceremony will be held at the iconic Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
The Sports Ministry has put in place a Technical Committee to oversee the event, ensuring that all athletes’ screening processes are strictly followed, leaving no room for age-related discrepancies or other forms of malpractice.
In addition to the competitive atmosphere, the Games will see about 5,000 young athletes representing their states, making it one of the largest youth sports gatherings in the country
