By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday declared the 7th edition of the National Youth Games holding in Asaba, Delta State, open.

The President who was represented at the opening ceremony by the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, said that events like this should be seen as a veritable means of promoting the spirit of friendship amongst all states.

He called on all state officials and athletes to compete with the spirit of fairness and togetherness, while putting the interests of the nation first.

Earlier in his welcome address, the governor of Delta State, Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, said that the National Youth Games have come to stay.

He described it as a powerful vehicle through which budding new talents from the grassroots can be discovered.

While urging organisers to ensure that there is a standard programme for athletes succession in the country, Oborevwori said that the National Youth Games ha've proven to be a cost -effective and reliable tool to promote national unity and advance development and peace agendas of both the national and sub-national governments.

He added: When effectively harnessed, sports has the power to positively impact on the economic and social wellbeing of any society.

Sports plays a great role in The realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives.

Our belief in these ideals is unshakable. Hence, the Government of Delta State has continued to make its resources available to host national and international sporting competitions.

In 2018, Delta hosted the African Senior Athletics Championship, and, in November 2022, the 21st National Sports Festival.

The Governor reiterated that the Stephen Keshi Stadium has become a venue of choice for hosting national football championships, as Delta is becoming the mecca of sports in Nigeria.

The Governor assured all participants of a peaceful and exciting games, saying that security personnel, protocol officers, traffic management teams, and volunteers are on ground to ensure a peaceful, safe, and secure environment for athletic competition.

He also gave assurance of a hitch-free movement across the length and breadth of the city adding that there has not been a single report of security breach in previous competitions hosted by the state.

"By Gods grace, this years event will not be an exception. To all our athletes, the moment of truth has arrived. Your family, friends, and well-wishers are rooting for you to seize the moment and launch yourself into national prominence.

As the saying goes, records are meant to be broken. So, I challenge you to set new records and take Nigerian sports to another level, now, let the games begin, the Governor stated.

In his speech, the Delta State Sports Commission Chairman, Chief Tonobok Okowa, urged Team Delta to win for the state and give him a parting gift as this would be his last Youth Games as the Commissions boss.

PHOTO: Delta Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (left) discussing with the Hon. Minister of Youths and Spots Development, Senator John Enoh during the opening of the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba on Saturday. PIX: SAMUEL JIBUNOR/Delta State Government House.