In a bid at ensuring that the aim of the National Youth Games (NYG) is not defeated, only athletes below the age of 15 will henceforth participate in subsequent editions of the annual event.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the 3rd NYG at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State on Saturday.
“I wish to reiterate that from the 4th edition of the Games. The maximum age of athletes will be pegged at 15 to achieve the long-term objectives of the National Youth Games,” he declared.
He explained that with the increase of number of sports from 15 at the 2nd edition to 28 at this edition, 2.934 athletes competed in the 135 events that featured.
Dalung stressed that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports is working assiduously to improve on the standards of the Youth Games, hence it is bringing on board all partners and supporters, while also making moves to streamline the number of events to reduce the burden of hosting.
The Minister, who stressed that the role of sports in youth development cannot be overemphasized, commended the Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin for magnanimity in hosting the last two editions, while expressing desire that the symbiotic relationship will be sustained.
“Let me also thank the Kwara State Government and Ilorin Golf Club for granting us free access to use their facilities. We look forward to more collaboration in this and other regards,” he added.
He expressed delight that only Zamfara out of the 36 states failed to register for the 2017 edition.
Gombe bid to host 4th National Youth Games
The Chairman of Gombe State Sports Commission, Mohammed Suleiman, on Friday said the state would bid to host the 4th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG).
Mr. Suleiman told journalists in Ilorin that the state would work hard to host and win “if it succeeds in winning the bid.”
He said the 3rd edition of the games, currently going on in Ilorin, was well organised, adding that it had in one way or the other strengthened the unity among Nigerian youths.
The Gombe State Sports Commission boss described as unfortunate the situation where some states came with overaged athletes, noting that if this was not checked, it could defeat the aims and objectives of the games.
“The spirit behind the youth games is to develop the youths.
“If we start coming with overaged athletes, the aim may have been defeated,” Mr. Suleiman said.
He said he supported the Sports Minister’s statement that the 4th edition of the games would feature U-15 athletes.
“This will help to reduce age cheat, which many have noticed now and in the past.
“This will allow the real youths to participate in the games, even if you cheat, you cannot be more than 16 or 17 years of age”, he said.
Mr. Suleiman said that Gombe had improved on its performance from the last edition as it only managed to win three medals last year, but had garnered nine already in the 3rd edition with hope of winning more.
He commended the state governor for approving funds for camping the athletes before the games.
RESULTS
HOCKEY (BOYS)
1) Gold- Kaduna
2) Silver- Nasarawa
3) Bronze – Plateau
HOCKEY (GIRLS)
1) Gold – Benue
2) Silver – Delta
3) Silver – Oyo
BASKETBALL (BOYS)
1) Gold – Delta
2) Rivers
3) Plateau
BASKETBALL (GIRLS)
1) Gold- Bayelsa
2) Silver – Nasarawa
3)Silver – Kebbi
3) TABLE TENNIS (GIRLS DOUBLE)
1) Gold – Ondo
2)Silver – FCT
3) Bronze – Delta
4) Bronze- Oyo
TABLE TENNIS BOYS DOUBLE
1) Gold- Ondo
2) Silver – Oyo
3) Bronze- Kogi
4) Bronze – FCT
PARA BOYS SINGLE (TABLE TENNIS)
1) Gold- Kwara
2) Silver- Osun
3) Bronze- Ogun
4) Bronze- Kano
TABLE TENNIS SINGLE GIRLS
1) Gold- Kwara
2) Silver- Kwara
3) Bronze – Delta
4) Bronze – Kwara
BOYS SINGLE
1) Gold- Ondo
2) Silver- Kwara
3) Bronze – Kogi
AYO Boys
1) Gold – Ondo
2) Silver- Kogi
3) Bronze – Benue
4) Bronze – Kaduna
AYO GIRLS
1) Gold – Bayelsa
2) Silver – Kogi
3) Bronze – Osun
4)Bronze Akwa-Ibom
AYO MIXED
1) Gold – Ogun
2) Silver – Ondo
3) Bronze – Kogi
4) Bronze – Kogi
TAEKWONDO -55KG BOYS
1) Gold – Oyo
2) Silver – Delta
3) Bronze-Kaduna
4) Bronze – Borno
49KG GIRLS
(TAEKWONDO)
1) Gold- Bayelsa
2) Silver – Sokoto
3) Bronze – Ebonyi
4) Bronze – Ondo
WRESTLING 55KG
1) Gold – Niger
2) Silver – Bauchi
3) Bronze – Ondo
4) Bronze – Kano
60KG
1) Gold – Bayelsa
2) Silver- Ondo
3) Bronze – Delta
4) Bronze- Rivers
GOLF
STROKE PLAY (GIRLS)
Abdul Blessing – Benue State (96- gross) – Gold
Obuaya Chinweoke – Delta State (100 gross) – Silver
James Peret – Katsina State (103 gross) – Bronze
STROKE PLAY (BOYS)
Bamikole Paul – Ekiti (85 gross) -Gold
Attah Bernard – Nasarawa (85 gross) – Silver.
Sunday Samuel – Ogun – Bronze
STAPLE FORD (GIRLS)
Abdul Blessing – Benue state (16 points) – Gold
Dove Alice- Bayelsa state – (14 points) – Silver.
Edem Etido – Akwa Ibom (9 points) – Bronze
STAPLE FORD BOYS
Bamikole Paul – Ekiti stste (31 points) – Gold
Bello Emmanuel – Benue state (28 points) – Silver.
Sunday Samuel-Ogun state (25 points) – Bronze
