Asaba, the Delta State capital, is set to take center stage as Nigeria’s sporting hub when it hosts the 2025 National Youth Games from August 29 to September 6.
The Stephen Keshi Stadium will serve as the main venue for the highly anticipated multi-sport event, with teams expected to begin arriving from August 26 ahead of the opening ceremony.
This year’s edition will feature competitions in no fewer than 37 sports spread across several facilities, including the Stephen Keshi Stadium and Indoor Sports Hall, multi-purpose halls, Asaba Sports Club, Government House Squash Court, Anglican Girls Grammar School, and Commissioner’s Quarters.
Opening day action will include table tennis, karate, para-table tennis, and weightlifting. The schedule intensifies in subsequent days with events in athletics, badminton, wrestling, chess, kickboxing, tennis, abula, and more, leading to the grand finale on September 6.
The Games will also spotlight disciplines such as deaf athletics, taekwondo, judo, ayo, kungfu, para powerlifting, basketball, fives, squash, scrabble, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, beach volleyball, boxing, football, cricket, cycling, darts, golf, handball, hockey, rugby 7s, kokowa, and volleyball.
Defending champions Team Delta will look to retain their crown on home soil, but they’ll face stiff competition from Lagos and Edo States, who finished second and third, respectively, at the last edition.
The 2025 National Youth Games promise to be a showcase of Nigeria’s emerging talent and a celebration of unity through sports.
According to Kola Daniel, Special Adviser on Media to the Director General of the National Sports Commission, the stage is fully set for an exciting and impactful tournament in Asaba.
