TEAM DELTA WINS WITH 98 MEDALS IN 8TH NATIONAL YOUTHS GAMES

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Team Delta won the 8th National Youth Games on Thursday in Asaba, Delta, despite numerous suspicions of age cheating.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the reigning champion won the games with 41 gold, 27 silver, and 30 bronze medals.

A diverse group of sports writers and administrators who covered the 11-day sporting event expressed dissatisfaction with the games’ organisation and outcome.

Dr. Daniel Igali, President of the Wrestling Federation of Nigeria (WFN), warned journalists at a news conference that age cheating was a key obstacle to the country’s efforts to develop grassroots sports.

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“As a nation, we must have to end this win-at-all-cost approach to tournament’

“If Nigeria wants to do well in international events, we must take deliberate steps to eliminate age cheating.

“If we fail to address this, the aim of the youth tournament will be defeated because this idea of some states wanting to win at all costs is discrediting the efforts of others.

Igali claimed that the youth games were becoming a failed projection because those responsible for screening athletes had turned it into a gift for the highest bidder.

He stated that the youth games remained the most important competition in the country for athletic development.

Also addressing, Mr. Obioma George, Director of Sports for the Abia Sports Council, expressed unhappiness with the games’ tour.

“I want to sincerely congratulate Delta for hosting this tournament, but would also like them to look into the issue of screening athletes.

“It is disappointing to note that where some athletes were screened despite their age difference, that gives some states a brighter chance of winning more medals.

“Most of Abia athletes were screened out even when they were not overage compared to some other states, where their athletes were initially screened out.

“However, we later got to see the same athletes that were initially screened out-compete in the competition.

“We hope that the organisers will try to discourage age cheats going forward in our sports competitions because it’s causing us more harm than good”, Obioma said.

The final table, presented by the games’ Local Organising Committee (LOC), showed Team Lagos in second place with 25 gold, 19 silver, and 18 bronze medals.

Team Edo placed third in the medal tally, with 53 medals, including 17 gold, 12 silver, and 21 bronze.

Team Bayelsa placed fourth with 52 medals, including 14 golds, 17 silvers, and 21 bronze.