With 182 athletes from across the nation competing for gold, the rugby sevens competition at the 8th National Youth Games in Asaba 2024 was a thrilling display of speed, talent, and fierce determination.

In the U-15 Boys division, host team Delta secured the gold medal by defeating Kano 7-0 in a hard-fought championship match, while Edo State claimed the bronze by beating Kwara 19-0.

In the U-15 Girls division, Edo State emerged victorious in a dramatic final against reigning champions Delta, winning 5-0 in a match that was tied both in regular time and sudden death.

The game was decided by drop goal points, with Edo converting one, while Delta missed all three of their attempts. In the bronze medal match, newcomers Team Abia State clinched a 5-0 victory over Ogun State.

Dr. Ademola Are, President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), commended the athletes and assured that more tournaments would be organized to support their growth. He expressed his gratitude to the Delta State Government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, highlighting the significance of this platform in giving the boys and girls an opportunity to showcase their skills.

General Secretary Oludare Davies praised the athletes for their outstanding performances and urged them to avoid social vices, emphasizing the importance of dedication to their training. Additionally, General Manager Mr. Azeez Ladipo used the occasion to introduce T1 Rugby to the teams, promising increased participation and development opportunities in the sport.

Following the statement of Sports minister John Owan Enoh to revisit the age limit of the National Youth Games, the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council Sir Braveman Wodi has expressed his opinion on the matter of u17 age bracket.

Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Sir Braveman Wodi said the review of the age limit of the National Youth Games should be carried out with the integration of necessary stakeholders who will contribute efficiently.

Braveman noted that due to age cheat, it is imperative to have Youth Games that will meet the objectives of grassroots development for young athletes.

He added that the nation should focus on hosting a tournament that graduates athletes from the junior cadet to the senior level while providing avenue for young ones to compete fairly.

“For me the age-cheat is always there and it is quite easy to cheat between the u17, but I will propose because there is a missing gap between the seemless graduation from the u17 and to the senior team. That’s the argument of the Minister.”

“But my submission is for us to have u15 and u17 tournament, in order words we should have a National Youth Games that captures categories of u15, u17 so that it can fill in the missing link.” Braveman insisted.

According to Sir Braveman for Nigeria to totally eradicate age cheat at the grassroots, stakeholders need to have deliberate and committed round table discussions to chart efficient methods of screening and detection.

“Stakeholders need to come to the table and discuss some of these issues of age cheat and think of measures or modalities of screening which will be somehow fruitful. I think that’s something that is incumbent on all stakeholders, including Directors of Sports and the Federal Ministry of Sports.” Braveman said.

-Emmanuel Grabs Bronze In Weightlifting

As the 2024 National Youth Games enter day three, Chioma Kanu, Sokunbi Tobi and Ezumba Chidelu shone brightly, claiming medals in the swimming event.

Kanu won gold medal in 50metres freestyle girl’s while her other teammate’s Tise won gold in 200metres individual medley boy’s and Chidelu settled for silver in 100metres boys.

The stellar performances of the Lagos rising stars shored up medal haul in the swimming event to four, heading into the final day of competition of the aquatic event on Sunday at the Swimming pool of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

In another development, Sunday Emmanuel added another bronze medal in weightlifting after a total lift of 111kg.

Emmanuel (49kg) put up a good show after lifting 50kg in snatch and 61kg in clean and jerk bringing the total lift to 111kg.

An elated Emmanuel gave thanks to God and the Lagos State Government forthe opportunity to showcase his talent at the National Youth Games, elated with the success in his first outing as a budding weightlifter.

He said his career in weightlifting was influenced by his mother as a coach and also those who have successfully made significant milestones in the sport, including African and Commonwealth Champion, Adijat Olarinoye.

Similarly, Lagos female football team defeated hosts, Delta to 2-0 defeat in a match played at St.Patrick’s College in Asaba,

Two goals from Kashimawo Temilola and Kemi Adegbuyi was enough for the indomitable Eko girls to continue on their impressive form as they look forward to defend their title in the football event of the 2024 National Youth Games.

Earlier, Lagos volleyball team beat their Bauchi counterpart 2-0 (25-20,25-20) and Team Lagos wrapped up the day with victory in the table tennis event as Aisha Rabiu and Faisat Musbau claimed gold in the girls doubles final beating their counterparts from Delta State on Saturday.