ASAB
A/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to urgently tackle the menace of age cheating at the National Youth Games (NYG), warning that the practice threatens the credibility of the competition and undermines its purpose of grooming young talents.
The governor made the charge on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, during the closing ceremony of the 9th edition of the Games, which he hailed as a celebration of unity, discipline, and excellence.
“What began days ago with great excitement has now come to a glorious conclusion. Today, we celebrate not only the medal winners but also the triumph of sportsmanship and national pride that this festival of youth has demonstrated,” Oborevwori said.
He commended athletes for their courage and determination, stressing that beyond medals, their resilience had inspired the nation. The governor also praised Team Delta for maintaining its tradition of sporting excellence, while emphasizing that the Games remained a vital platform for talent discovery across Nigeria.
However, he lamented that the continued involvement of over-aged athletes by some states was diluting the vision of the Games. “The NSC must introduce stricter measures to restore integrity and ensure this event remains a true nursery of young talents,” he warned.
Oborevwori thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NSC, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), coaches, officials, and volunteers for their efforts in ensuring a smooth and successful outing. He also expressed gratitude to visitors who made Asaba their home during the event, while reaffirming Delta’s readiness to host the 10th edition in 2026, in line with the state’s four-year hosting rights.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, represented by Chief Amaka Asiofu, Director of Grassroots Sports and General Coordinator of the Games, described the Asaba edition as “an incredible experience, marked by fair competition, determination, exciting adventures, and inspirational sportsmanship.”
He commended the Delta State Government for its robust investment in sports, noting that the Games had once again provided Nigeria with a fresh crop of athletes who would eventually replace aging national players across various disciplines.
Dikko further assured that the Commission would sustain policies to nurture young talents and promote a sports-driven economic ecosystem that contributes to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Also speaking, Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Onoriode Oborevwori, said the Games showcased not just competitive excellence but also the values of friendship, resilience, and cooperation. He thanked the NSC, organizers, and stakeholders for their collaboration and called for greater commitment to sports development in the country.
Meanwhile, in the final medal table, Lagos State emerged overall champions for the first time, securing 110 medals, including 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze. Delta State finished second with 114 medals (37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze), while Edo State came third with 79 medals (33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze).
In total, 33 states won medals at the Games, with 802 medals awarded: 246 gold, 236 silver, and 320 bronze.
