As 8th National Youth Games Begins In Asaba, enter Day two
The Asaba games enters its Day 2 of competition on September 13th , 2024 inside the Multipurpose Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium sports activities lined up for contest include;
1. Karate by 12pm at the multipurpose hall.
2.Cycling at the Ibusa Asaba express, by 7am
3.Weightlifting will start with weighing by 2pm before the competition by 4pm at the weightlifting Gym.
4.Handball female will square up against Ekiti at the Cynotaph by 11am
5.Table Tennis will continue at the Indoor Sports hall by 8am and we hope to see Abraham Moses advance from his round of 32 qualification to 16.
Other Sports will join the fray on Saturday as the competition will last until the 19th of September, 2024.
The 8th edition of the National Youth Games was declared opened on Thursday 12th September, 2024 by Federal Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. John Owan Enoh.
He made the declaration in the openning Ceremony of the Games at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The Minister welcomed all the 36 states and the FCT to the annual mundial and wished all a successful competition. Enoh promised to review the age limit for the Games and increase it from 15 to 17 years from the next edition.
A total of 4,585 Athletes registered in 36 Sports to scramble for 1,535 gold, silver and bronze medals.
Plateau state will compete in 24 Sports as earlier reported, with 135 Athletes to fight for laurels for the state.
Events have since commenced emmidiately after the opening Ceremony with Table tennis leading the pack on day one of hostilities.
Meanwhile,Edo State wins First Gold Medal by Weightlifting Athlete, Esther Amarachi Chijioke won three Gold Medals for Edo State on day one of the games, making the heartbeat state to be first to win Gold in the Asaba Games.
The team Edo weightlifter Chijoke Esther won the three gold medals in Clean and Jerk (45 kg),Snatch 56kg and got the job done with 71 kg (total for 3 gold medals) in the female category of the event which held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium,Asaba.
Chijioke Esther who hailed from Benin said she was happy that God crowned her efforts with success.” I am excited.
“I thank God for the victory after all our training, all the preparations so far, getting the desired result is what everybody wants. I thank my coaches and the Edo State Sports Commission for making preparation for the games good for us “. Esther said.
Edo weightlifting coach, Williams Omoroghomwan Ikponmwosa said he was fulfilled after his athlete picked first Gold medals for Edo. He added that his team is capable of getting more Gold medals for Edo State as the competition progresses.
The 8th National Youth Games has officially been declared open with the Minister of Sports and the Governor of Delta State wishing all participants successful games in Asaba.
All the participanting states’ contingent including team Edo graced the opening ceremony and participated in the march past as the red and white traditional colours of Edo radiates in the crowd.
The host Governor of Delta State His Excellency Sheriff F. Oborevwori in his remarks said: ” Let me welcome the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Development Senator John Enor who represents the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at this 8th National Youth Games and to specifically appreciate the organizing committees.
The Delta state is proud to partner with the federal ministry of Sports Development to ensure that the goals and objectives of this event are realized.
“The National Youth Games is a powerful vehicle for athletes development. Permit me to say that athletes development is not just about sports performance but also about developing social and ethical skills.
To all our athletes, I congratulate you on making it here. I urge you to compete fairly but fiercely. You may not always win but you will be remembered for putting in your best. ” Governor Sheriff said.
He wished the athletes and coaches successful outings while urging them including to let fair play be their watchward.
Governor Sheriff also advised states to give priority attention to school sports programmes. He said there should be compulsory inter house sports for primary and secondary schools as well as well designed sports development programmes for tertiary institutions in taking sports to the next level.
“I am eagerly looking forward to highly competitive games in the days ahead. I expect new talents to be discovered and new records set. At the end of the 10-day events, I believe that Nigerian sports would take another giant step forward. ” Governor Oborevwori added.
As competitions the 8th National Youth Games ‘ Asaba 2024’ began on Thursday , September 12th,2024 and will end on 19th September, 2024 at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
