The Nasarawa State Government, on Thursday, bade farewell to the State’s contingent heading to Asaba, Delta State capital, for the 7th edition of the National Youth Games.
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Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, while addressing the Contingent on behalf of the Commissioner, Hon. Jafaru Ango, said the athletes have been carefully selected in sports that the State has comparative advantage and medal hopes.
He opined that the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration is committed to the development of youth and sports in the State, urging the athletes and coaches to reward the benevolence and gesture of the Governor and the Citizens by doing the State proud at the Event.
“Congratulations to those of you who are making this trip to Asaba for the Youth Games. Try as much as possible to make us proud by putting up an ‘A’ performance there.
“We wish everyone could make the trip, but this is what the State can travel with to Asaba, considering our areas of strength and weakness.
“Note that it is your performance that will make the State Government want to do more for you in terms of reward package and more.
“So, this is a big challenge to every member of the delegation. Be good ambassadors of Nasarawa State as we are known for peace, progress, discipline, stability and unity.
“The purpose of the Youth Games is for participation, exposure, discovering and nurturing of talents, peaceful co-existence, unity and national cohesion.
“Whatever is meant for anyone of you will be given to you to enable you perform and win medals.
“Our prayers and best wishes are always with you, even as we wish you a safe journey.
“The Commissioner and I will be visiting you in Asaba before the end of the Games to give you moral and psychological supports”, the Permanent Secretary said.
Speaking on behalf of the travelling Coaches, Bashir Bassey of Judo Sport, thanked the Nasarawa State Government and Ministry for making funds available for the State’s contingent to participate in the Event, promising to do their best to ensure the State is well-represented at the Games.
He assured that Team Nasarawa would be disciplined, committed and obey all rules and regulations of the Games and host State throughout the duration of the competition, promising to outperform their previous achievements at the Games.
Team Nasarawa will be featuring in fourteen Sports, namely, Judo, Para-Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Hockey(Team Sport), Golf, Karate, Scrabble, Trado-Sport(Ayo), Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
A total of 118 member delegation made up of 61 Athletes, fourteen Sports Secretaries, eighteen Coaches and Accompanying Referees, and 25 Accompanying Officials.
No fewer than 4,500 athletes from the 36 States of the Federation and F.C.T., Abuja, will compete for medals in 35 Sports.
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The 7th edition of the multi-sport national Event kicks off on Thursday, 21st September, 2023, with the opening ceremony holding on Saturday, 23rd September, and closing ceremony slated for Saturday, 30th of same month.
Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, will be joined by the host State’s Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and other top Government functionaries to the Event.
