By: Sunny Canto
In a memorable outing during the Opening Ceremony yesterday, with thousands of spectators, also sport pundits and enthusiast, Music entertainers, Muti-Nationals, scouts, vendors, Corporate firms and organizations, sponsor’s, visitors that arrived Delta State capital; Asaba since the 9th edition of the National Youth Games commence in the hospitable; South-South Oil rich region few days ago.
However, team Delta are known for brilliance, impressive performances, excellence delivery in sporting activities with so much testimonies like: Austin J.J Okocha, Blessing Okagbare, Ese Brume etc. Besides Weightlifting kick-starting in style, Table Tennis (Pingpong) activities that bring thrilling and refreshing memory of Aruna Quadri (Africa finest) and Funke Oshonike (Seven Time) Olympian into spectators mind; Karate demonstrated unforgettable moments with massive crowd recorded in all venues.
Amazingly, since the inception of the annual Grassroots talents hunt and skills discovery program, also known as National Youth Games in 2013, Team Delta has remained a force to reckon with; towering presence, asserting dominance and sporting excellence across all editions.
With a culture of excellence, a deep talent pool, and strong grassroots development structures, Delta State has clinched the overall winner’s trophy in every single edition, a feat unmatched by any other state.
Interestingly, with eight consecutive overall victories, Team Delta remains unstoppable; undisputed at the National Youth Games, a true symbol of youth excellence in Nigerian sports thereby placing the state in the forefront of National sporting excellence.
Amassing total of Sixty medals 3rd edition in 2017; Sixty-Seven in year 2018, One Hundred and Four in 2019; postponed 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic, won One Hundred and Fourteen at 6th edition in 2021; One Hundred and Sixteen in year 2023; previously in 2024 they won One Hundred and Eleven i.e (46 gold, 31 silver, 34 bronze) and have begun the journey this year 2025.
Meanwhile, its aim at building robust grassroots sports talents for the country; enhance and elevate sports globally and regionally; establish standard program for athlete’s succession from one generation to another; to curb age cheating in athletes by encouraging early participation of children in sports through the school system; to educate and engage young athletes inspiring them to play an active role in their community development; to reinvigorate national unity and collaborating of the youth; to encourage mass participation of the youths in sporting activities for promoting of health and physical fitness; to promote National Unity.
Notably, host team Delta came with the highest participants followed by Lagos State; Edo State; Abia State and Bayelsa as the screening exercise was monitored by renown sports administrator and guru; Chief Solomon Ogba amongst other iconic, legendry, technical expert from 27th-28th at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Gracing the mouthwatering occasion are: GCFR representative; Chief Sunday Dare (SA Media) to the President, also former Minister of Sports and Youth Development; Senator Ned Nwokolo, Delta State (House of Assembly) Speaker; Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; Hon. Bukala Olapade (Director-General) of National Sports Commission; Hon. Onoriode Joseph Oborevwori (Chairman Delta State Sports Commission) and his Vice, Hon. Sam Sodje (Ex-Super Eagles) player to mention but a few.
In summary, there was adequate transport and logistics means for athletes, medicals, coaches, maintainer’s officers, media experts, security personals including Music entertainment buy Hip-Hop Artists; Cultural Dancers; Live Band; Food and Drinks for everyone to savor during the glitz fill and remarkable Opening Ceremony.
