Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the state’s performance at the recently concluded National Youth Games (NYG), which took place in Asaba.
Following a disappointing second-place finish, a stark departure from Delta’s traditional dominance in the competition, the governor has taken decisive action by demoting the executive assistant on sports, Mr Festus Owhojero, to the position of senior special assistant.
The state was overthrown by Lagos, which claimed the top position in the games, leading to widespread criticism regarding the organisation and execution of the event. Upon the conclusion of the games, Governor Oborevwori convened an emergency meeting with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to discuss the factors contributing to Delta’s lacklustre performance.
Sources reveal that during the meeting, the governor made it clear that he regarded the outcome as entirely unacceptable, particularly given the resources allocated to ensure that Delta State would excel.
The governor’s frustrations were compounded by the backlash surrounding the overall organisation of the games, which he felt did not reflect the state’s capabilities or commitment to sports excellence.
In his commitment to fostering a more effective sports environment, Governor Oborevwori emphasised his administration’s zero-tolerance approach to incompetence. Consequently, Mr Owhojero’s demotion represents a significant shift within the Sports Commission, marking him as the first high-profile casualty following the games.
As part of ongoing efforts to revive Delta’s sporting reputation, the governor instructed LOC officials and sports commission representatives to compile a comprehensive report detailing the events and failures of the NYG. This report is expected to inform future strategies, with Delta State also set to host the games again, as per a memorandum of understanding signed several years ago.
