Asaba Welcomes Athletes For 9th National Youth Games As DRM Ends

Athletes from across Nigeria are set to arrive in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, today for the 9th edition of the National Youth Games. This marks the third consecutive time that Delta State is hosting the Games, following five successful editions held at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. The inaugural edition took place in Abuja.

The Delegation Registration Meetings (DRM) for the Games, which commenced on 21 August, concluded on 24th August, paving the way for the start of the event.

According to the Local Organising Committee (LOC), today and tomorrow are designated as arrival days for participants, while the opening ceremony is scheduled for 29 August.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, the chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), is expected to declare the 9th National Youth Games officially open on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

Additionally, the Team Delta delegation for the 2025 NYG is anticipated to be announced on Monday evening. Team Delta, which has held the top position on the medals table since the inception of the Games, has been in closed camping since last week.

In recent months, the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the LOC have been actively involved in inspecting and certifying facilities and venues to ensure they meet the required standards for hosting a successful Games that brings together the best young talents from across the country to compete for glory and national recognition.

Last week, the NSC reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a well-organised event that not only showcases Nigeria’s next generation of sports stars but also promotes unity, discipline, and excellence through sports.