The Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, expressed confidence that the state is poised to host the most impressive edition of the National Youth Games to date.
A substantial contingent of 5,742 athletes and officials have completed their registration for the upcoming seventh National Youth Games, slated to take place in Asaba from September 20 to 30.
Okowa told newsmen on his return from N’Djamena, where he represented the President of the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA), Hamad Kalkaba, in a marathon event in Chad, that Delta state government was ready to give the youths a befitting sports festival.
Team Delta has dominated nearly every installment of the National Youth Games (NYG) since its inception in Abuja in 2013. The 2023 edition of the games is set to feature 34 scoring events.
During a meeting held on Friday to discuss the Games, one of the crucial decisions made was to ensure that all states provide insurance coverage for athletes and officials attending the event
It was stressed that all states must provide evidence of payment for participation and insurance policy for athletes and officials to gain clearance into the Games Village.
It was further clarified that athlete screening will occur just once, following a two-day grace period upon arrival at the Games village. It was emphasized that any state failing to participate in the screening process would face disqualification.
In order to uphold fair play, the authorities also stressed the enforcement of doping control. Athletes may undergo random testing throughout the course of the Games. The past five editions of the NYG took place in Ilorin, Kwara State, with Team Delta emerging as victors in all.