By Austin Ogwuda
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh said in Asaba that apart from focussing on talent hunt right from the grassroot, a new innovation was introduced in this year’s National Youth Games to prevent the menace of age cheating.
He spoke at a media parley organised by Delta State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, in Asaba.
His words, “I can assure you that the present leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, shall pay undivided attention to the development of the abundant talents we have all around the nation. .
“We do this not just with an eye on podium performances, but to also create career pathways for our youth and millions of job opportunities in the sports value chain.
“On the issue of age cheating in sports is an area in which the Ministry requires the support and collaboration of all stakeholders.
“On our part”, he went on, “one of the innovations at this year’s edition of the Games is the introduction of the National Identity Number (NIN) as part of the verification process for athletes. Working with other stakeholders, we shall keep improving the process as we move along until we reduce this menace to the barest minimum.
“We have to get this right as a nation if we hope to achieve sports excellence. Do your best in your respective sports disciplines and compete cleanly without the use of performance enhancing substances that will eventually ruin your career in sports.
“I also encourage you to utilize the opportunities provided by the Games to develop enduring friendships and career paths for yourself”, the Sports Minister added.
The Minister had earlier on arrival for the opening of the 7th Edition of the National Youth Games in Asaba paid a courtesy visit to the Delta Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House Asaba.
He thanked the governor for accepting to host the games.
Said he, “the National Youth Games are a baby of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and it is on the 7th Edition. The previous ones have all been located in Ilorin, Kwara State.
“This is the first time that Delta State is hosting the Games and I must thank the government and people of Delta State very heartily for accepting to be the host.
“From the briefs I have received since I became Minister of Sports Development, I am aware that this games are going to be in Delta for the next couple of years and I thank you for this.
“The National Youth Games”, he continued, “are intended to discover talents amongst our young boys and girls age not more than 15. The idea is that sports men and women we engage in our sports will be getting to their retirement and we need to have a pool of talented men and women boys and girls and we take care of them.
“The challenge for us is that of transitioning them in that early stages and we are hoping that working with states like Delta we will be able to accomplish this.
“It is our hope that the National Youth Games will be able to assist the government and the people of Nigerians to continue to live in peace and unity with one another,” he further stated.
More than 5,742 athletes from the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory are competing for medals in 35 different sports in the ongoing Games in Delta State.