NYG’ll produce our next generation of athletes, says Mary Onyali

• Delta rolls out four artists to entertain fans

Five-times Olympian, Mary Onyali, says the National Youth Games is the bedrock of discovering ‘next generation’ of athletes for the country.

The 7th edition of the NYG is currently going on in Asaba, Delta State capital, and Onyali believes Nigeria will reap the benefits of the Games in the nearest future.

Onyali represented Nigeria in five consecutive editions of the Olympics Games. From Seoul ‘88 all through Athens 2004, she was Nigeria’s golden girl dominating the tracks.

Onyali won the famous ‘golden bronze’ at Barcelona ’92 Olympics in the 4x100m relay, and another bronze in the 200m event four years later at Atlanta ’96. She captured a gold medal for Nigeria at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and was the most celebrated Nigerian athlete, when the city of Abuja hosted the All African Games in 2003.

Speaking with The Guardian, yesterday, Onyali said that the Asaba 2023 National Youth Games would go a long way in producing more talents for the country.

“All the coaches need do is to fish out young athletes, who have the potential of becoming a future star. A good coach should be able to know when they see such athlete,” Onyali said.

As at yesterday evening, advance team of 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were already on ground in Asaba waiting for the official opening ceremony, which will take place tomorrow at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

The Chairman of the local organising committee for the Games, Chief Tonobok Okowa, explained, yesterday, that four upcoming musicians will entertain spectators at the stadium tomorrow.

The organisers had earlier engaged two musicians for the Games, but later increased the number to four.

While Boy Spyce and May D will thrill the spectators at the opening ceremony tomorrow, Khaid and Cooler Lane will perform at the closing ceremony on September 30.