The 8th National Youth Games began Thursday in Asaba, Delta State with President Bola Tinubu groaning about the decline of sports in the country.
President Tinubu who was represented by the Sports Minister John Enoh said at the Stephen Keshi Stadium that there was a need to revive the sector in the country with more emphasis on grassroots sports development.
“There is no better way to develop sports than grassroots sports, which the National Youth Games represents. Our sport is in decline because of the aging of our sports men and women, and the only way is to organize NYG to discover talent and nurture them to stardom.”
He added that there must be a follow up competition to the NYG.
“The NYG can only make sense only after the games if we follow up the athletes’ progression. The National Youth Games can become a beacon of hope for the revitalization of our social investment. It is imperative that we invest more in grassroots sports development.
“On the request of Delta State Governor, I agree it makes more sense that we return to the initial age classification of Under 17. I will find what was the reason for the change of the initial age.”
Thirty-five States including the Federal Capital Territory are participating in the Games that ends on September 19. Delta are the defending Champions a position they maintained from the inception of the NYG. Rivers State a power house in Nigerian sports is not represented at the 8th NYG.
