Athletes aged 15 and under were the target audience for the National Youth Games, as highlighted by Senator John Owan Enoh, the honourable minister of sports development, who issued a warning that age trickery would not be accepted.
Senator Enoh urged participating states to adopt the values of fair play and sportsmanship, highlighting the significance of maintaining the integrity of the games by meticulously adhering to the age limit.
As he supported the young athletes representing their states in the many sports and events, he also called on spectators and fans to show their support.
This was contained in a release issued on Thursday, September 12, 2024, by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister, Diana-Mary Nsan, and made available to journalists.
The statement disclosed that the minister officially declared the Games open on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.
“As the name of the Games implies, this competition is strictly for the youth. We are committed to providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents in a fair and transparent environment. The technical team has been instructed to ensure that only athletes within the age bracket of 15 years and below participate.
“Age cheating undermines the purpose of these Games, and we will take firm measures to prevent it,” Senator Enoh said.
Delta State, with a reputation for its rich sporting culture, is playing host to this year’s event, and the stage is set for an exciting celebration of youth talents and sportsmanship.
The National Youth Games have become an important event in the nation’s sports calendar, offering young athletes the opportunity to compete at a national level and hone their skills.
The Games are also crucial for Nigeria’s talent identification and development strategy, helping to groom the next generation of sporting stars.
