Tinubu to declare 7th National Youth Games open

• 4,500 athletes to compete

There were indications, yesterday, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will declare the 7th National Youth Games open tomorrow.

An official of the Organising Committee told The Guardian, that they were expecting President Tinubu at the opening ceremony holding at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

Although the official said they were waiting for confirmation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports on whether Tinubu will be available for the event.

“What I know is that the Presidency is interested in this National Youth Games, and has demonstrated its commitment towards giving the youths a good foundation to begin their sporting career. From what we are hearing, our sports-loving President Tinubu is likely to be here for the opening ceremony on Saturday.

“But if he doesn’t make it here due to his tight engagement, we will be expecting the Sports Minister to perform the opening ceremony alongside Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori,” the official stated.

The first edition of the NYG took place in Abuja in 2013, but the past five editions were held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Asaba 2023 National Youth Games, with inscription, ‘We are the Future’ will be attended by over 4,500 athletes, a figure the organisers have described as the largest ever.

The Games had churned out generations of talented top athletes over the years for the country, including Mable Madojiemu, Ese Brume, Divine Oduduru, Ashie Favour, Favour Ofili and Praise Idamadudu.

According to the organisers, all the 23 different venues to be used for the games have been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, just as the hostels, water, and other welfare facilities have been provided for the athletes and their officials.
A total of 35 sporting activities will take place at different venues in Asaba, Okpanam and Ogwashi-Uku.

Among the states on ground, in Asaba yesterday, were Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Plateau and Yobe.