FG to Revisit Age Limit for National Youth Games Amid Declining Global Performance
ASABA/Nigeria: The Federal Government has announced plans to review the age limit for the National Youth Games, with the aim of enhancing the country’s performance on the global stage.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, made this known during the opening ceremony of the 8th National Youth Games, held in Asaba, Delta State, tagged “Asaba 2024.” The president highlighted the need to revisit the under-17 age category, following concerns about Nigeria’s declining athletic performance internationally.
“The under-15 age limit has been limiting athletes’ participation,” the president said. “The National Youth Games is meant for talent hunting and nurturing young athletes, and it is time we reassess the age grade to encourage broader participation.”
He emphasized the critical role of grassroots sports development in building a robust sports sector, noting that the National Youth Games plays a key role in fostering national unity and peace. He called for a more comprehensive framework that not only identifies young talent but ensures their progression from grassroots to elite-level competition.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing a platform for youth to showcase their talents. He expressed hope that new talents would emerge from the games and pledged to work closely with the Federal Government to achieve the competition’s objectives. The governor stressed that sports remain a vital tool for promoting peace and unity across the country.
Governor Oborevwori also lamented the nation’s poor performance in the last Olympic Games in Paris, calling for a revival of inter-house sports in both primary and secondary schools to strengthen the sports pipeline.
He noted that over 6,000 athletes and 1,159 officials have been cleared to participate in this year’s National Youth Games, describing it as a historic event for the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Chief Solomon Ogba, urged athletes and officials to uphold the spirit of fair play, encouraging them to compete clean and adhere to the rules of the games.
