The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Delta State for its role as host of the 9th National Youth Games.
Speaking to journalists at St. Patrick College after watching Team Delta defeat Team Edo 2-1 in a female semi-final football match, Hon. Enabulele praised the organizers. “So far, I want to thank the organizers for putting together this competition. It’s not easy hosting a competition of this magnitude, so I want to commend Delta State for what we are witnessing here, although there is room for improvement in certain areas,” he said.
Enabulele also expressed satisfaction with Team Edo’s performance, highlighting the support from the state’s governor. “I’m impressed with what our athletes have done at the games. We are aware of how important it is for us to give back to our sports-loving governor. He has given us the support and enabling environment for us to thrive,” he stated.
Edo has never come first or second in any youth games before, but with what we have seen here, we want to change the narrative. We mean business, and we want to finish on the podium,” Hon. Enabulele concluded.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director representing the Edo North Senatorial District on the Edo Sports Commission, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, praised the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission for introducing the youth games. “Firstly, I want to commend the federal government for introducing this event. The future belongs to the youth; the idea of the games is to ‘catch them young,'” he said.
Ilaboya also raised concerns about over-aged athletes. “One of the key areas that needs urgent attention is the fielding of over-aged athletes. I noticed that some of the athletes that were screened out were later seen at games venues competing for their respective states,” he noted.
He stressed that Edo State’s approach isn’t about winning at all costs. “For us in Edo, it’s not a ‘win at all costs’ situation. We have the youngest team in these games. We are more concerned about talent development. We are known for producing talents, and we want to continue in that direction,” he explained.
Ilaboya called on the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) to ensure the integrity of the competition. The youth games shouldn’t be about winning at all costs. I want to call on the MOC to get their data right and work harder to ensure athletes who compete fall under the required age of U-15.”
The former Lagos State SWAN Chairman also confirmed Edo State’s readiness to host the youth games in the future. We have hosted the National Sports Festival twice. Everyone who attended, including journalists, can attest to the fact that we hosted very well. Whatever we are doing, we want to be as professional as possible. Whenever there is an opportunity to host the youth games, we will be ready,” Ilaboya concluded.
