National Youth Games: Over 26 states screened to compete

As the 7th edition of the National Youth Games is poised for kicking-off,, ACL Sports can confirm that more than 26 states have completed the requisite screening and registration process with the Ministry of Sports Development and the Local Organising Committee, signalling their readiness to vie for honours.

As of press time, over 26 states, including the host and defending champions Delta State, as well as Kano, Anambra, Benue, Adamawa, Plateau, Ogun States, and the FCT, have been officially registered with both the sports ministry and the local organizing committee of the 2023 National Youth Games.

Reports indicate that athlete screenings commenced promptly at 10 a.m. on Friday at the indoor sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. Athletes were required to present various forms of identification, particularly the National Identification Number (NIN), along with other supporting documents.

Regrettably, a number of athletes did not pass the physical verification segment of the screening, leading to their disqualification and the dimming of their hopes for medal contention. An anonymous official noted that the organizers are keen on fulfilling their commitment to cracking down on age falsification and coaches responsible for such infractions. He disclosed that this stringent stance on age integrity will persist throughout the duration of the games.

Contingents from various states began arriving in Asaba on Wednesday to partake in the games, which are aimed at discovering potential future stars in the nation’s sports sector.

Para Table Tennis and weightlifting are slated to be the inaugural events of this multi-sporting spectacle, after the opening ceremony oft he National Youth Games which will take place around noon, with performing artists Boy Spyce and May D poised to thrill the fans.