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With the unearthing of youngsters at the 9th National Youth Games (NYG), there are indications that with sustained development, Nigeria will soon dominate Sports performance globally. In this interview, the Director, Grassroots Sports Development, Mrs Amaka Ashiofu, speaks on the gains of 2025 NYG among others.
Excerpts
NYG, the journey so far
So far, you know, I would say that we are not doing badly because, as you can see, in every year we are improving on the games. What you are seeing today, you can’t compare it with what you saw last year. There has been a lot of improvements.
Although in every competition like this, you don’t expect to get it 100%. There will still be some lapses somewhere. So that’s why, as the games keep coming, there will be improvements along the line. All those places that we need to amend, dot the i’s and cross the t’s, in the next one, you’ll see that such things will be attended to.
Our collaboration with states, participation challenges
As part of preparations, on the part of the National Sports Commission, like we usually do, we send letters to the states governors and sports commissioners, through their directors of sports.
So, I will tell you that on our part at the national level, we did what we’re supposed to do and they all acknowledged that they were going to be present at the game. I will say that perhaps funding issues some of the states’ contingents not to present their athletes.
We had a meeting and non-appearance issue came up. So, we expect to hear from few states that couldn’t make it, afterwards, know their exact reasons.
Navigating Challenges
Well you know like i said earlier on, you can never get everything 100% but to an extent, the challenges have been from states. You know processes here and there, and most times on the part of screening athletes, you will see that athletes will be screened out and they will go behind to force their way in.
Over time, we have been doing our best to see how we can manage it. We will continue to work out modalities that will best address it. At the moment, we can’t disclose the plans we will come up it so that no one can preempt us going forward.
The other day, we had meeting with the directors from states, I told them it’s not here we should be looking at, we have to look ahead. No one should bring a young athlete because you want him to simply medal and you don’t think about the image and the future ofmNigeria. If this same athlete you present goes out there, will he or she make Nigeria proud?
So I kept advising them – let us think of what we have ahead – international competitions. That is what we should be looking at and not just Delta state or Edo state or Abia state, we are all one nigeria, so the earlier they get to understand, the better.
However, there’s visible improvement as regards age-cheat. This is because, in the past, you will see that some states will have almost two-third of their athletes screened out, but this time around is not same outcome.
During the opening ceremony, we all saw athletes as young as eight, nine and 10 years march past from most states. With the latest development, we are gradually getting it right.
Continuous Talent Discovery
Yes, the talent you’re talking about is the identification of junior athletes.
It has come to stay. That’s why you see that we have the talent hunt committee. They have been on their toes going from one sports venue to the other to hunt for these talents. Normally, what we do is that we go around, we collate names and keep inviting them for competitions.
At the next National Sports Festival, hopefully taking place in Enugu as it has been stipulated, you will surely see some of these young athletes participating with the elites as well, just like what happened in Ogun state.
Ahead of Youth Olympic Games in Senegal
Yes, those who will be discovered at the 9th NYG are expected to make it to the Youth Olympics, but it boils down to the age limit we have talked about so far the persons concerned are within the range.
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