The Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung has urged the athletes and coaches to build on the performances at the National Youth Games to become worthy Champions in the future.
Dalung who gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the 3rd Edition of the National youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara state, said next year’s edition will be pegged at 15 years to reduce the burden of hosting.
The Minister said the role of sports in youth development cannot be overemphasized adding that the games provided an avenue to bring youths together under an atmosphere of friendly competition designed to enhance their potentials and all-round development.
He said “with the increase in the number of Sports from 15 at the 2nd edition to 28 at this edition of the games, we had a total number of 2,934 athletes that competed in the 135 events that featured, which no doubt overstretched the facilities in the University”.
“It is worthy to note that all the states and the FCT registered to participate at the games except Zamfara state. Of the 35 states and the FCT that registered, only Lagos state failed to present athletes. I therefore wish to sincerely thank the various states governments that sponsored their teams to the 3rd Edition of the games at these austere times”, Dalung said.
“The Federal Ministry of youth and Sports is working assiduously to improve on the standard of the youth Games. To achieve this, we shall bring on board all our partners and supporters in this regards. Specifically, the number of events would be streamlined to reduce the burden of hosting”.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his avowed commitment to the development of Youth and Sports in Nigeria.
He equally appreciate the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and his team for their tremendous support, understanding, cooperation and magnanimity in hosting the last two editions.
He equally thanked the Kwara State Government and Ilorin golf club for granting them free access to use their facilities.
