Ahead of the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council Sir Braveman Wodi has charged coaches and secretaries of the various associations to adhere to the age limit of the competition.
The 7th National Youth Games is expected to take place from 7th to 17th of September, 2023.
Sir Wodi gave the charge at the Indoor Hall of Samson Siasia Stadium while addressing the coaches, secretaries alongside his management on arrival from the National Youth Games Joint Technical Meeting (JTM) held in Asaba.
He noted that the zonal elimination for the games will come up from the 12th to 14th August in Calabar, Cross River State to decide the team sports that would represent various states in the youth version of national sports festival.
Sir Wodi explained that the format of qualification for the team sports has changed from the previous edition where the first and the second runner usually qualify, stating that it was ratified that only the team that finishes first will qualify for the games.
The Director urged the coaches and secretaries of the participating associations to stick to the age limit of under 15, maintaining that every athlete going to the games must have National Identification Number (NIN) in compliance with the rules.
He pointed out that the essence of the national Identification number was to annihilate age cheating in line with the vision of the competition as a breeding ground for the future, noting that Bayelsa would not be involved in falsification of age for athletes.
The Odi born Seasoned Sports Administrator added that the National Youth Games will see three hundred sixty (360) athletes from each state seeking glory in thirty four (34) Sports.
This year’s National Youth Games promises to be a showcase of young talent, with Delta State prepared to host this significant sporting event with zeal and enthusiasm,having previously been held in Illorin Kwara
