DELTA STATE EMERGES 8TH TIME WINNER OF NATIONAL YOUTH GAMES

From left, Deputy Governor of Delta State,  Sir,  Monday Onyeme in a tete-a-tete with the Director of Grassroots Department of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development,  Mr. Patrick Okeke, during the closing ceremony of the 8th National Youths games,  at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, Delta State

"The National Youth Games has been a valuable platform to discover young talents that would represent Nigeria in various sports in the future". President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"The National Youth Games not only promotes peace and unity but also fosters economic posterity for the host state." Enoh.

"The tournament has once again demonstrated the power of sports to unite and  promote our rich cultural heritage." Sheriff Oborevwori 

The 8th National Youth Games tagged "Asaba 2024" came to an end on Thursday 18 September 2024 with Team Delta emerging Champion for the 8th consecutive time.

Team Delta emerged winners with a total of 111medals, 46 gold, 31 silver and 34 bronze, while Lagos and Edo states came second and third with a total 65 and 59 medals respectively. 

Declaring the event closed, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the last day of the tournament at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, said the "National Youth Games has been a valuable platform to discover young talents that would represent Nigeria in various sports in the future". 

Represented by the Director Grassroots Sports Department Mr. Patrick Okeke, the minister observed that the tournament has been successful in achieving its purpose as "it has inspired a new era of resilience and dedication in the young athletes in their zeal to take the lead in  Nigerian Sports". 

"It is important to emphasise that the National Youth Games has been successful in achieving its purpose, the games has been a valuable platform to discover young talents who go on to represent Nigeria in various sports, maintaining that many athletes discovered in the past have become champions, and in representing the country they create opportunities for themselves".

Senator Enoh expressed delight over the remarkable talent and dexterity displayed by the young athletes during the games and commended their high level of discipline and sportsmanship, stressing that the future of Nigerian sports is bright. 

The Minister noted that a total of 450 talented athletes from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital territory Abuja were identified in this edition of the National Youths Games.

While commending the Delta State Government for its magnanimity and  dedication in ensuring a successful hosting of the games, he also applauded the  governments of the participating states for sponsoring their contingents to the event and charged them to come up with a talent hunt plan to ensure that the newly discovered talents are nurtured against the future.

Speaking further, the Minister urged the states to key into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda to leverage into the socio-economic potentials of sports in the development of their various states.

"The National Youth Games, he said, not only promote peace and unity but also foster economic posterity for the host state."

Earlier in his address, the Governor of Delta State Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori congratulated the young athletes for their display of raw talents, resilience, and sportsmanship all through the games. 

"He said that the tournament has once again demonstrated the power of sports to unite and  promote our rich cultural heritage."

He called on states to continue to nurture and invest in grassroots sports to be able to create opportunities for the young ones.