How Gombe State Made It To The 7th National Youth Games In Asaba. By Uzor Odigbo

Gombe State

"Gombe State has to be represented instead being absent at this National Sport carnival." Simon Ayuba.

"The talented young Athletes needed to be in Asaba so as to get the required exposure that will help strenghten their bond and belief in "One Nigeria." 

With the flag-off of the National Youth Games by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday, 21st September 2023 in Asaba, Delta state, Gombe Stat seems to be the only participating state from the Northeast region of the country.

Findings reveal that the state would likely be the only state competing for medals in just one sports; athletics in the 2023 National Youth Games.

Further findings also revealed that the Gombe State Sports Commission actually had Trials for the National Youth Games, but however, paucity of funds became an issue as the government could not release the needed funds for the state to participate in the national sports festival. 

It however took the intervention of a philanthropist and sports loving son of Gombe State, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, who had to lead from the front by sponsoring over 25 young athIetes and officials from his newly established AthIetics Academy to represent the State in Asaba, Delta state.   

In an interview with the Director of the Academy and Technical Assistant to Alhaji Gara Gombe, Prince Simon Ayuba said; "Gombe State has to be represented instead being absent at this National Sport carnival." 

Ayuba disclosed that, the talented young Athletes needed to be in Asaba so as to get the required exposure that will help strenghten their bond and belief in "One Nigeria." 

He noted that their participation in the National Youth Games would also provide them with the opportunity of witnessing other athletes from different parts of Nigeria as all of them are visiting this part of the country for the first time."

Speaking to journalists at their camp in Asaba, Ayuba stated that, "We are ready to participate at the National Youth Games but not too crazy about winning medals. However, if medals come, we will thank God."

Meanwhile, some of the young talents from Gombe Athletics Academy however countered their boss's submissions as they claimed to be ready to contest for medals in Asaba. 

Three members of the Gombe contingent; Blessing Ehi-ikpa, Samuel Okeke and Zainab Nafada however expressed their confidence and assured of their readiness to fight for medals in  200m, 100m, 400m, 800m, long jump and in the relays.    

Luckily, the Gombe AthIetics contingent have been screened and cleared for Competitions