Members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the ninth National Youth Games holding in Asaba, Delta State, were forced to scramble for more space to accommodate what an official described as an ‘unexpected’ large turnout of athletes and officials for the event.

For the first time in the history of the Games, over 7,000 athletes and officials are in Asaba for this edition, which will be declared open today by the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

A member of the LOC, Festus Ohwojero, said the committee did not envisage such a large turnout of athletes.

“As we speak, we are making frantic arrangements to see how we can cater for the over 7,000 athletes. For the first time since the NYG began in 2013, we have not recorded this high number of athletes and officials.

“In the past, some states, particularly those in the north, fielded low number of athletes. But right now, all the states stormed Asaba with unprecedented numbers. But we won’t turn them back. This is Delta State and we will see what we can do to make everyone Happy,” Ohwojero stated.

Asked if Team Delta has the capacity to defend their title going by threats from some other states, Ohwojero said: “It is a National Youth Games and every state has the right to aspire for the title. I know that Team Delta is fully ready to defend their title, but if any other state is better prepared, we will accept the result.

“As I said, Delta State is ready to defend the title.” On what to expect in today’s opening ceremony, Ohwojero stated that some top music stars and traditional dancers will entertain the athletes and spectators.