The Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development has stripped Kano State of the

hosting right for the 7th National Youth Games and awarded it to Delta State.

The Ministry said the choice of Delta State was reached at a meeting of Stakeholders for the Games, which was held on the sidelines of the recently concluded 21st National Sports Festival.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, stated that the National Youth Games has since inception become a veritable ground for harvesting the huge talents that abound within the country.

“He said “Many of the discovered athletes have been nurtured to elite level by the Ministry where several of them have been excelling at the international stage by posting podium performances for the country.”

Other objectives of the Game according to him, is to “promote National Unity; curb age cheating in Sports and Youth restiveness as well as establish a standard programme for athletes’ succession”, amongst others.

Alhaji Ismaila assured that the Ministry is poised to ensure that the gains and objectives of the Youth Games are sustained hence, the Ministry’s determination to seek for an alternative host venue for the National Youth Games.

Already Delta State has expressed readiness to host the Games at the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, from February 8-18. (Daily Trust)