The Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, beckons on state contingents for the 7th National Youth Games (NYG), tagged ‘Asaba 2023’. From the gate to the main bowl and other competition centres for the event, the facility is already wearing a pleasant new look while various workmen are putting finishing touches to various tasks in herald of the all important national event.
The National Youth Games (NYG) is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 20 with the arrival of state athletes while the Opening Ceremony is on Saturday, September 23 and Closing Ceremony on Saturday, September 30.
According to Chief Tonobok Okowa, Chairman of the Delta State Commission, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is so passionate about sports and has given all the needed support, and with a marching order to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to ensure that this edition of the Youth Games is the biggest and best organized in it history to deliver the most memorable sporting experience to athletes, officials and sports fans.
The event has seen a lineup of no fewer than 30 sports penned down for the Games which aim at discovering and nurturing talented athletes, propelling them towards future stardom.
The wide range of sports disciplines to be featured includes Athletics, Gymnastics, Para-Table Tennis, Badminton, Handball, Boxing, Basketball, Hockey, Table Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Karate, and Tennis.
In addition to these, the Games will also showcase Canoeing, Para-athletics, Taekwondo, Chess, Squash, Scrabble, Cycling, Swimming, Volleyball, Football, Judo, Weightlifting, Golf, Rugby, and Wrestling.
The proposed venues to be used for the 10-day event are West-End Secondary School, Government House Squash Court, Cynotaph, Ibori Golf Course, Stephen Keshi Stadium – mainbowl, indoor sports halls, swimming pool and others. Other proposed venues are Hockey Pitch, Opanam; Ogwashi/Admiralty University, Ibusa Asaba Express, Lander Brothers and Asaba Stadium.
This diverse selection ensures that participants have ample opportunities to showcase their skills and compete in their respective specialities.
Since its inception, the NYG have served as a platform for identifying promising young athletes who possess the potential for future greatness.
The inaugural edition took place in Abuja, and subsequently, Kwara State hosted the event. However, for the seventh edition, the Ministry of Youths Development decided to award the hosting rights to Delta State.
The previous edition of the Games featured a total of 37 sports events, with Delta State emerging as the overall champion. Their impressive performance yielded an impressive haul of 60 gold medals, 26 silver medals, and 28 bronze medals. This remarkable victory marked their sixth consecutive triumph in the NYG, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in youth sports development.
Coming in second place was Team Lagos, securing 19 gold medals, 25 silver medals, and 28 bronze medals. Edo State secured the third position with 18 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 12 bronze medals. The intense competition among these states demonstrates the depth of talent present across the country.
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