National Youth Games Commences, Ekiti ready to win
– Qozeem Oladapo
Team Ekiti Shines Brightly As 8th National Youth Games Commences Amidst Funfare, Tinubu, Delta Governor Harp On Strength Of Sports ….Plus Pictures from opening ceremony
De Gogetter – 23:43
Athletes in their hundreds defied the rains that began at about two in the afternoon on Wednesday prior to the official opening of the 2024 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
The athletes who were full of enthusiasm and eagerness to be part of the annual fiesta gallantly participated in the match past which was graced by the Sports Minister, John Enoh and the Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori
The athletes in different colours of sportswear took turn to impress the dignitaries and spectators who cheered them on and waved their States flags and banners.
The cynosure of all eyes during the 2024 National Youth Games match past were the Team Ekiti athletes owing to the infamous saga in 2023.
The over 100 athletes who participated in the match past for the State beamed with smiles, pride and confidence with their unique uniform outfits that caught the eyes and attention of everyone at the stadium and those watching online live via different platforms.
After the match past, President Bolaji Tinubu represented by the Sports Minister, John Enoh and the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori addressed the crowd and charged them to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, eschew desperation and doping .
The duo highlighted the strength of Sports as a tool to curtail youth restiveness, social vices and violence urging the organizers of the National Youth Games to ensure the vision of it’s founders were not lost.
Contest for medals swiftly began afterwards with some events including weightlifting, table tennis among others.
In weightlifting, Team Delta being the host sprung into early surprises with positive results courtesy of Goodness Obodo who secured two bronze medals while the probable first gold medal of the tournament went to Edo State female weightlifter, Esther Chijioke of Edo State, in the 45kg female category after lifting 56kg in Snatch and 75kg in Clean and Jack.
Numerous contests and battle will be going down on Thursday at different centers at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba as Ekiti State Cricket team will face its counterpart from Kogi State in the morning and also face Edo State in the afternoon .
In volleyball, Ekiti State male volleyball players will take on their counterparts from Abia State in one of the volleyball matches billed for Thursday while in boxing, a female boxer from Ekiti State named Esther Orewole will face a tough bout with an opponent from the host State, Delta in the 40kg category just as Ridwan Afolabi of Ekiti will face a Kogi State opponent in the 44kg category.
Ekiti State is being represented by 128 male and female athletes who shall be competing in 19 games.
The 8th edition of the National Youth Games tagged Asaba 2024 which will hopefully feature over five thousand young boys and girls from the FCT and all the States of the country except Rivers State will come to a close on September 19.
Delta State being the host of the last edition and the ongoing edition are the defending champions .
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