Benue, Borno absent as Delta hosts Youth Games for third time

The 9th National Youth Games officially started on Friday in Asaba, Delta State. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media, Chief Sunday Dare, declared the event open.

While thousands of young athletes arrived for the Games, teams from Benue and Borno States were missing. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) confirmed they had not seen their contingents as of Friday afternoon.

This year’s Games recorded the highest turnout ever, with about 6,700 athletes arriving in Asaba.

The large number forced organisers to make extra arrangements for accommodation and logistics.

A LOC member, Festus Ohwejoro, said Delta State was ready for the challenge:
“Even though we didn’t expect this huge crowd, we managed to host everyone. Our Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, is committed to making the youths happy. Delta is experienced—during the 2022 National Sports Festival, we hosted over 16,000 athletes.”

Delta State, the defending champions, is competing with 382 athletes and 143 officials. This is also the third time Delta is hosting the National Youth Games.