By Ikenna Nwokedi
Team Anambra have arrived Asaba, the capital of Delta State for the seventh edition of the annual National Youth Games (NYG) holding from 20th to 30th September, 2023.
The Anambra contingent will camp at the St. Patrick’s College Asaba as their operating base in the course of the games.
The 173-member contingent made of 128 athletes and 45 officials who were initially camped at the Archbishop Obiefuna Retreat Centre Okpuno, received motivational talk from H.E Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Wednesday before their departure.
Governor Soludo, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Ernest Ezeajughi, reminded the contingent that they are ambassadors of the state at the annual games and therefore should make excellence their watchword while showcasing good character and discipline.
Chief Ezeajughi also admonished the athletes to always respect and adhere to their coaches’ instructions so as to excel in their various events at the games.
On his part, Chief Patrick Estate Onyedum, Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission (ASSDC) thanked Gov. Soludo for his immense support to the sports sector with his nods and approvals for inter-state competitions and other sports programmes of his commission.
Chief Onyedum revealed that majority of the athletes to the 7th NYG were products of the Anambra School Sports Festival held earlier in the year between May and June. The sports boss as a way of motivating the athletes promised a personal reward of N50,000 for any athlete who won gold at the games.
Team Anambra will feature in 18 sporting events comprising Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Cricket, Chess, Gymnastics, Judo, Karate, Rugby, Scrabble, Swimming, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo, Traditional Sports (Kokowa), Weightlifting and Wrestling.
