Delta Governor approves reward for athletes ahead 8th national Youth Games

To boost the morale of Team Delta ahead the 8th National Youth Games (NYG), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved financial reward to athletes and officials that represented the state in last year’s Games.

Team Delta topped the medals tables at the 7th edition of the NYG, which held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba between September 20 and 30, 2023, but the athletes were not rewarded immediately.

Delta is gearing up to host the 8th edition of the NYG in October this year, and Governor Oborevwori has approved monetary rewards for medalists as a way of boosting the morale of Team Delta.

The Guardian learnt yesterday that the present management of Delta Sports Commission took the file for the NYG award to Governor Oborevwori, which he approved immediately.

According to an official, the file for financial rewards for athletes and officials who represented the state during the senior National Sports Festival got ‘missing’ in transit and could not be traced for former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to attend to it before he left office.

It was gathered that Governor Oborevwori has directed the Sports Commission to also present the file for approval for the state athletes and officials who represented Delta at the last senior National Sports Festival, which Delta also hosted and won in 2022.

The 8th edition of the National Youth Games will be hosted in Asaba from September 10 to 20, 2024.

Some athletes and officials of Delta State, who spoke with The Guardian, yesterday, praised Governor Oborevwori for the prompt attention he is giving to sports matters, especially as it affects approvals for athletes and officials.

Recall that the Governor recently approved all outstanding salaries and match expenses for both Warri Wolves and Delta Queens Football Clubs.