The Federal Government has announced plans to reassess the age limit for the National Youth Games in the upcoming edition.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made this announcement during the opening ceremony of the 8th National Youth Games, held in Asaba, Delta State, and referred to as Asaba 2024. Represented by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, the President highlighted the need for this change due to the declining performance of the nation’s athletes on the global stage.
The current age limit of under fifteen is believed to be impacting athlete participation. The National Youth Games aim to discover and nurture young talent, and the President emphasized that revising the age grade is essential for achieving these goals.
President Tinubu stressed the importance of grassroots sports development, calling for a framework that not only identifies talent but also supports comprehensive development from the grassroots to elite levels. He noted that grassroots sports play a crucial role in fostering national unity and peace.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also spoke, affirming his administration’s commitment to providing platforms for youth talent to shine. He expressed hope that the games would unveil new talents and pledged cooperation with the Federal Government to meet the competition’s objectives. The Governor highlighted sports as a key tool for promoting peace and unity among the states, and expressed concern over the decline in sports performance, citing poor results at the recent Olympics in Paris. He emphasized the need to boost inter-house sports in both primary and secondary schools.
Governor Oborevwori also mentioned that over 6,000 athletes and 1,159 officials have been cleared to participate in this year’s National Youth Games, calling it a historic event.
Chief Solomon Ogba, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, welcomed the athletes and officials, urging them to embody the spirit of fair play, compete cleanly, and adhere to the rules of the games.
