The 9th National Youth Games Competition has ended in Asaba, amidst jubilation as Team Lagos emerged overall winners.
Lagos State won 52 gold, 32 silver and 26 bronze medals to displace the defending champion and host Delta State which clinched 37 gold, 38 silver and 39 bronze medals .Edo State finished third with 33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze medals.
Thirty three states registered their presence on the medals table, winning a total of 802 medals, comprising 246 gold, 236 silver and 320 bronze medals.
Our correspondent reports that excitement and jubilation filled the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, venue for the 9th National Youth Games when Team Lagos was announced as champion of the competition.
Director General, Lagos State Commission, Lakan Fatodu described the victory as extra ordinary and paradigm shift in the history of Youth Games Competition in Nigeria, and and was full of thanks to Lagos State Governor.
Presenting trophies to the winning states, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori expressed the readiness of the state to host the tenth edition in line with the Memorandum of Understanding the state government signed with the then Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports.
Governor Oborevwori tasked the National Sports Commission to redouble efforts in restoring the Youth Games credibility which according to him has been married by age cheats across several sports events.
Declaring the 9th edition of the National Youth Games close, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, who spoke through the director, grassroots sports, in the commission, Amaka Ashiofu expressed the administration would leverage on the success of the just concluded National Youth Games to put sports sector on the right footing by promoting sports ecosystem that will add immerse value to Nigeria GDP.
Also see: Team Lagos Has Emerged as Champions of the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba
President Tinubu gave an assurance that the new young athletes discovered in this year’s edition of the National Youth Games would be nurtured and groomed to replace aging athletes across various sports federations.
He commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the government and people of Delta State for a befitting hosting of the Youth Games for three consecutive years, and also thanked the government of all the participating states and the federal Capital Territory
Highlight of the closing ceremony included presentation of trophy to the overall Champion Team Lagos , as well as to the second place winner Delta and Edo who won the third position .
Meanwhile, Team Delta won Gold in the 4×100m female relay, 4×100m male relay and 4×400m mixed relay that formed part of the closing ceremony.
