By Onomiguren Agbamu
As the battle for medals continues at the ongoing Eight National Youth Games holding in Asaba continues, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Solomon Ogba has expressed delight over the spread of the medals won so far among competing states.
Ogba who stated this while briefing sports journalists on some emerging issues, said the competitive spirit among states was an indication that it was not a one horse race.
‘The quality of competition too, technically, it has been good, and the results we are getting, they are doing better than what they have done before which is good news for the country, particularly the results we are getting.
If you look at the medals table, it is evenly spread, many states are winning, and it is not a one horse race which is very good for our country. And we hope that this trend continues, and by Thursday, we round it up, and that when everybody is going back, they will be happy that they came to Asaba.
And we are particularly happy that out of the thirty six states, thirty five states came, and you add Federal Capital Territory to it, that will be thirty six, and that is record breaking, and we are almost six thousand on ground, and we are pleased with that’,Ogba stated.
Ogba who was a onetime Commissioner of sports, said Delta State government made adequate preparation for a successful hosting of the National Youth Games, emphasizing that there had been improvement in accommodation, transportation and feeding of athletes as compared to the previous editions of youth games.
On issues bothering on age cheat and other alleged irregularities in the games, Ogba stated that the LOC had been meeting with federation and states officials with a view to finding a permanent solution
The Local Organising Commirttee Chairman ,who highlighted the gains of hosting the National Youth Games , hinted that the state would be eager to host more sporting competitions in years to come.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Muhammad Gamawa has expressed confidence in the ability of the state to win more medals apart from the Gold medal won so far.
Gamawa who spoke to sports journalists at the media centre of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, venue of the Eight National Youth Games hinted that the Bauchi State Government paid the full allowances of all the athletes and officials representing the state prior to their departure for the games.
He said sports infrastructure was being accorded adequate attention, describing infrastructure as key to sports development.
In some of the events finalized , Ngozi Okereke of Team Delta won the four hundred metres girls category in a time of 53:50 seconds to clinch the gold medal.
Also, David Udoh of Delta won the four hundred metres boys final in a time of 49:33 seconds.
In Darts Game, female Double, Bayelsa won gold, Edo silver while Delta and Lagos States picked bronze medal.
In male doubles, Delta won gold, Borno silver and Akwa Ibom and Benue States,clinched bronze medal.
On the latest medals table officially released ,the Host, Delta State, is leading with eighteen gold, seven silver and ten bronze medals, followed by Edo and Oyo states.
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