Games billed for Dennis Osadebe University, Asaba, from February 8 to the 18th, 2023

Nigerian youth athletes pose for a photo shoot during the 6th National Youth Games

By Rasheed Adewuyi

The Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development has awarded the Hosting Rights for the 7th National Youth Games to Delta State. The Games are slated to hold from February 8 to the 18th, 2023.

The choice of Delta State was reached at a meeting of Stakeholders for the Games, which was held on the sidelines of the recently concluded 21st National Sports Festival in the State.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, stated that since its inception, the National Youth Games had become a veritable ground for harvesting the huge talents that abound within the country.

Alhaji Abubakar added: “many of the discovered athletes have been nurtured to elite level by the Ministry where several of them have been excelling at the international stage by posting podium performances for the country.”

According to him, other objectives of the Games are to “promote National Unity; curb age cheating in Sports and restiveness among the Youths as well as establish a standard program for athletes’ succession,” amongst others.

Alhaji Ismaila assured that the Ministry is poised to ensure that the gains and objectives of the Youth Games are sustained hence, the Ministry’s determination to seek an alternative host venue for the National Youth Games.

The newly appointed Host State, Delta, he added, has indicated its interest in hosting the Games at the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State.

The State has equally expressed its readiness to host the Games from February 8-18, 2023, as unanimously agreed by the stakeholders at a virtual meeting on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.