The Chairman, National Sports Commission NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has assured that the Commission will build on the success of the just-concluded 9th National Youth Games to reposition Nigeria’s sports sector as a key driver of the nation’s economy.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Games on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Mallam Dikko, who was represented by the Director of Grassroots Sports Development, Amaka Ashiofu, said the edition has opened a new wave in the sporting exploits of the Commission, and reaffirmed its commitment to implementing policies and programmes that will put sports on the right footing.
“We will leverage on the success of these Games to promote a sports economy that will add immense value to Nigeria’s GDP,” he said.
The Chairman emphasised that the festival had once again provided Nigeria with a new pool of young talents who will be nurtured for international glory.
Dikko particularly appreciated the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, describing him as the Grand Patron of Nigerian sports. He lauded the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda for prioritizing sports as a tool for national unity and economic growth.
He also expressed gratitude to the Delta State Government for hosting the Games for three consecutive years, acknowledging the hospitality of the people of the state. The Chairman further commended the support of state governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Local and Main Organising Committees, sports stakeholders, and the media.
In his remarks, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff F. O. Oborevwori, celebrated the unity and discipline displayed by the athletes, noting that every participant was a winner. He, however, raised concerns about age-cheating, urging the Commission to safeguard the integrity of the Games.
“The 9th National Youth Games has once again exposed a worrisome trend: the steady erosion of its credibility, as numerous states persist in fielding over-aged athletes,” the Governor said. He stressed that the NSC must urgently put measures in place to restore fairness and protect the vision of the Games as a true nursery of young talents.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the athletes for their outstanding performances, describing the Games as a milestone in Nigeria’s grassroots sports development.
Olopade reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to harnessing the talents discovered in Asaba for future international competitions, while pledging to deepen collaborations with both public and private sector partners to provide the right platforms for young athletes to thrive.
The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Hon. Onoriode Oborevwori, also thanked participating states for their cooperation and emphasized that the Games were not just about medals, but about building friendships among Nigerian youths. He described all athletes as “champions” and wished them safe journeys back to their states.
Lagos State emerged overall winner of the 9th National Youth Games, topping the medal table with 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze medals (total: 110). Delta State, the host, finished second with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze (total: 114), while Edo State placed third with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze (total: 79).
Before officially declaring the Games closed, Mallam Dikko, congratulated Lagos and all participating states, urging the next host to emulate Delta’s example by delivering a world-class tournament in 2026.
The colourful ceremony was rounded off with the official lowering of the Games’ flag, a symbolic moment witnessed by Governor Oborevwori, Amaka Ashiofu representing the NSC Chairman, NSC Directors, States Sports chairmen/Managers, Sports enthusiasts, dignitaries, athletes, and spectators, marking the formal end of the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba.