All is now set for athletes in Kogi State to participate in the 2023 National Youth Games, (NYG) scheduled to take place in Delta State.
The seventh edition of NYG is expected to take place in Asaba Delta State between 7-17 September 2023.
Preliminary investigation revealed the that coaches and athletes are in high spirits and are ready to win laurels for Kogi State.
It was gathered that, athletes have been camping for the past two weeks at the Confluence Stadium Lokoja preparing for the annual tournament aimed at discovering raw talents that would represent Nigeria in both local and international competition.
It was further learnt that, the athletes are all waiting patiently for Kogi State Government under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello to make funds available for the young athletes to showcase their talents through sports.
A total of 71 athletes is expected to represent Kogi State in the 10 days sporting event in Asaba.
The sporting which Kogi State athletes will participate are Athletics, badminton, cricket, boxing, table tennis, Taekwondo, tennis, shooting, weight lifting, wrestling, beach volleyball, and Judo.
Speaking to one of the official in Lokoja on Friday who never wanted his name to be mentioned because he was not authorized to speak, he described the upcoming tournament as a break through for young promising athletes to make Kogi State proud.
According to him, Kogi State have continued to maintain their ground in sports, assuring that, with the level of preparation and team spirit, the State will surpass their previous records in National Youths Game.
“With all fairness to this present administration, they are doing their best, but they must do more. We are appealing to our sport loving Governor to release funds for us to participate in this competition” he stated.
One of the athlete who identified herself as Joy told our correspondent that they are fully ready to make Kogi State proud.
According to her, Kogi State will shock other State in this year competition, just as she expressed optimism of winning many medals at the end of the tournament.