8th National Youth Games best ever – Onos Oborevwori

Defence Of National Sports Festival Title In Ogun Is Next – Ohwojero

A member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the just concluded 8th National Youth Games, Asaba 2024, Onos Oborevwori, has declared that the Games were the best ever in terms of organisation, attendance and results.

Host, Delta, retained its NYG title. The state had a total of 111 medals made up of 46 gold, 31 silver and 34 bronze. Team Lagos was second with a total of 65 medals, 26 gold, 20 silver and 19 bronze, while Edo State was third with 59 medals, 18 gold, 13 silver and 28 bronze. The victory was the seventh for Team Delta since the Games started in 2013.

Oborevwori, an ex-footballer with Frangers FC of Warri, told The Guardian shortly after the closing ceremony on Thursday that the 2024 National Youth Games were the best ever.

“Sincerely speaking, I want to say that this year’s NYG in Asaba is the best ever going by the huge success recorded on and off the pitch. Apart from the excellent organisation, a total of 35 States and the FCT took part in the Games this year. And for the first time, 34 states and the FCT won medals unlike in the past when a majority of the states went home empty handed. The level of competition was higher this time, compared to other editions. Last year, Delta topped the medals’ table with 51 gold. But we got lesser gold medals (46) this time, which means other states came well prepared. It is good for the Games.

“We had over 6,000 athletes and 1,000 officials this year, and unlike in the past, we did not have much complain because our Governor insisted that Nigerian youths deserve the best of facilities.”

Speaking further, Oborevwori, who headed the Technical sub-committee of the 8th National Youth Games, said that he gained a lot working with established Nigerian technocrats during the competition. He commended the athletes and officials from the 35 states and the FCT, the Sports Ministry and all technical officials for a job well done.

Asked the areas he thinks can be improved on for the National Youth Games to meet its objectives, Oborevwori, who is expected to step in as the chairman of Delta Sports Commission any time from now, said: “Maybe, the issue of screening of athletes should be looked into by the Sports ministry before the next Games in 2025. Many people have suggested that the National Identification Number (NIN) should be used in screening the athletes to avoid complaint. I am sure the Sports ministry knows the best way to go about it.”

Meanwhile, Director General of Delta Sports Commission, Festus Ohwojero, has commended athletes, coaches and backroom staff of Team Delta for retaining the Games title.

Ohwojero also praised the state Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and other top government officials for the financial and moral support given to the sports commission and LOC throughout the duration of the National Youth Games. He told The Guardian that the next step for Team Delta is the defence of their title at the National Sports Festival holding in Ogun State in January 2025.

“We will take a break to celebrate this victory,” Ohwejero said. “But we will return very soon to prepare our teams for the defence of our National Sports Festival title in Ogun State.”