National Youth Games: Talent Discovery Important-Enoh

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has said that talent discovery is more important than emerging as champion in the 7th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.

The  2023 National Youth Games will feature 35 sports, with no fewer than 4,500 athletes from the 36 states of the federation participating.

Enoh said the main focus of the Games will be to unearth young talents for the country, who would possibly take on the baton at the elite stage in few years time.

“At this level of sports, our major focus as a nation will not be to win, but to provide a platform for new talents to find expression… 

“We want to have a working system that churns out talents for the nation, and at the same time provide a platform for these talented individuals to be the best version of themselves.

“The National Youth Games is for young athletes who are 15 years and under. It is at this level that we want to find the next Victor Osimhen, the heir apparent to Tobi Amusan, the protégés for Funke Oshonaike and Aruna Quadri, and many others”

The minister noted that the vision of the Ministry is to ensure proper development and provide a transition programme for young athletes, where they can climb up the ladder from being newbies to full elite competitors.

Also Read: Nagelsmann Named Germany’s New Coach

Games will be held between September 23 – 30, 2023.

Multiple venues in the Delta State capital will lay host to different games as the Opening Ceremony will take place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba.

Sports to be featured include athletics, basketball, cricket, chess, football, judo, golf, handball, scrabble, Taekwondo, volleyball, wrestling, among others.

Teams are expected to start arriving from Wednesday, September 20, 2023.