By Oluwatobiloba Kumoye
Edo State is gunning for victory at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, according to Sabina Chikere, Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission.
She made this promise on Thursday in an interview recently where she emphasized that they are going there for business with determination to excel in the competition.
She further explained that the Edo State Sports Commission, under the leadership of Honourable, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has been working tirelessly to prepare the Team for the event.
“We’ve been preparing seriously since we came back from the national sports festival, everything has been put in place to make sure we get the right hands to go to asaba to deliver, Edo State is known for success, Edo State is known for medals, Edo State will be on the podium at the end of the championship.
“The Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Honourable Enabulele, has told all the coaches, given them a mandate on what is expected of them at the Youth game so we are very hopefully and optimistic that Edo State will be on the podium at the end of the Youth Games,” she said.
She emphasized that the goal of the ESSC is to develop sports among the youths of the state, creating the platform for the next set of stars to be born.
“We focus on grassroots development in Edo State, so we’ve been doing a lot towards this grassroots development and catching them young,” Sabina Chikere noted.
Chikere went to add that athletes representing Edo State at Youth Games will be nurtured and trained beyond the sports feast.
“We are trying to get these children from secondary schools, for them to be able to participate, and after the event we will continue to train them, knowing must of them are still in school, but the coaches are still with them, the nurturing will continue, we are not going to leave them after the games, we will continue to train them, to nurture them.
“Our aim is for Edo State to be in every national team, we are not going to abandon them, we will keep them, we will keep monitoring them, keep nurturing them, so that they will grow and be strong in their various sports,” she stressed.
The top sports official was full of praise for the National Sports Commission, (NSC), led by Mallam Shehu Dikko and Honourable Bukola Olopade, stating that their commitment towards sports development in Nigeria is the reason behind the upcoming talents being discovered in Nigeria.
“Development is not just about getting these athletes, you nurture them, you keep them, you encouraged them, and marry it with education, so that when you they are no longer productive as a sports person, they will have something to fall back on, its all part of the development the National Sports Commission has put in place, giving sports the attention that it needs in Nigeria,” she concluded.
The National Youth Games is scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 6, 2025, bringing together the best young talents from across the country to compete for glory and national recognition at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.
