Tinubu Pledges Stronger Investment in Sports, Declares National Youth Games Open in Asaba
President Bola Tinubu says sports remain key to unity as he pledged greater investment at the National Youth Games.
The Asaba event opened with fanfare, though attendance fell short of stadium capacity.
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, describing it as a vital tool for promoting unity and national integration.
The President, through his Special Adviser on Public Communication and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, delivered the comments on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 9th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State.
Tinubu commended the leadership of the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, noting that both were experienced professionals capable of steering the nation’s sports sector toward global recognition. He emphasized that the NYG had consistently provided a platform for discovering young athletes who have gone on to excel at national and international levels.
“The National Youth Games remain a nursery for talents that continue to make Nigeria proud. Our administration recognizes the role of sports in fostering unity, and we will continue to provide greater investment to nurture the next generation of champions,” he stated.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, emphasized the investments made by his administration in sports facilities and the development of athletes. He stressed that Delta remains committed to being the “home of sports” in Nigeria, with a track record of producing athletes who have represented the country on the world stage.
“Today is not just about sports; it is a celebration of our young people, of unity, and of a prosperous future that sports can help us achieve,” Oborevwori said.
Earlier, Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, noted that significant progress had been recorded under Shehu Dikko’s leadership. He said the 9th NYG was another opportunity to celebrate, discover, and Groom talented Nigerian youths.
Onoriode Oborevwori, who leads the Delta State Sports Commission and serves as the head of the local organizing committee, guaranteed that the state had made significant preparations to accommodate more than 6,000 athletes, vowing to provide an unforgettable experience.
The ceremony featured the hoisting of the national flag, the Delta State flag, and the NYG flag by military personnel, alongside calisthenics, musical performances, and a colorful march past of contingents from across the federation.
However, the opening event was marred by a relatively low turnout, as less than one-third of the 23,000-capacity stadium was filled, despite the fanfare and elaborate displays.
