The Delta State Government has assured athletes, officials, spectators and other sports tourists of top-notch security arrangements during the National Youth Games scheduled to take place in Asaba from September 9th to 19th, 2024.

Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu, gave the assurance during an inspection of the facilities, just days before the commencement of the games.

Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Emu emphasized that the state government had invested in modern security equipment and systems to ensure the security and safety of all participants, addeding that parents and guardians should rest assured that their wards will be safe throughout the duration of the event.

“We have put in place advanced security measures, including surveillance systems and personnel trained to respond swiftly to any incidents. The safety of the athletes and officials is our top priority, and we are leaving no stone unturned,” Emu stated.

The National Chairman of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Ambassador (Rev). Samuel Ikpea has joined millions of football stakeholders and enthusiasts to commiserate with the members of the Nigeria football community on the death of Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams.

Hon. Adams, who was the Chairman of the House Of Representatives’ Committee On Youth and Sports, passed on Tuesday, July 16th, 2024, a protracted illness.

In the message of condolence, Ikpea expressed his sadness and grief on the passing of Hon. Adams, which he remarked happened at a period of regeneration of sports in Nigeria.

The boss of NFSC, renowned as Nigeria and Africa’s foremost football fans group, recalled the brief, but momentous achievements and feats of Adams, during his time as General Manager of Remo Stars football club, and also, as President of Kada Stars football club, Kaduna.

“The news of the death of Hon. Adams came to us as a rude and unexpected shock, that would take some time to go away from our hearts,” Ikpea said.

“In his brief sojourn on this earth and particularly, in football and sports, Hon. Adams certainly left indelible marks on the sands of time. We are proud of his life and times.

“We’re pained, but we must continue to thank God for everything. On behalf of all the members of NFSC, at home and in the diaspora, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to his families and associates.

“We pray that God strengthens the family emotionally and spiritually. May God also strengthen and bless all stakeholders in Nigeria sports,” Ikpea prayed.

Ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France Capital starting next month, Nigeria weightlifters have started intense camping, hoping to conquer the world.

The duo of Lawal Rafiatu Folashade and Eze Joy Ọgbonne are Nigeria’s weightlifting flagbearers at the Olympics.

Lawal and Eze are the only two weightlifters who qualified for the Olympics following the International Weightlifting Federation, IWF May 2024 Olympic Qualification Rankings released last week.

Lawal, 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Africa Games gold medalist qualified for the Olympics in the 59kg women’s category after she was ranked 8th with a total of 227kg.

Eze, 2023 Africa Games gold medalist, on her part, was ranked 9th in the 71kg women’s category with a total of 239kg.

Nigeria could have had three lifters at Paris but Edidiong Umoafia who won three gold medals at the African Games in Accra, had a total of 319kg in the 73kg men’s category was ranked 24th.

In the ranking released by IWF, only athletes who are ranked between 1 and 10 qualified for the Olympics.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF, under the able leadership of Dr Ibrahim Abdul is leaving no stones unturned in ensuring that the weightlifters made Nigerians proud at the Olympics.

The federation, shortly after the athletes returned from Africa Games in March, encamped them in Abuja where they have been training since April 24, 2024.

NWF President, Dr Ibrahim Abdul told journalists in Abuja on Monday, while announcing the Federal Government’s general camping for all Olympic athletes, that the federation started camping ahead of time in order to keep the athletes in shape.

The President who lauded the athletes for their heroics at the Accra 2023 Africa Games, said the early camping became imperative so as to not allow the weightlifters lose their competitive mood.

“First and foremost, the Federal Government, through the Honourable Minister for Sports, Senator John Enoh has opened general camping for all the athletes who will be participating in the Olympics. We at the Weightlifting federation want to use this medium to thank the minister for his efforts in starting camping for the athletes.

“On our part as a federation, our two athletes, Lawal Rufiatu and Eze Joy, who are the only two Weightlifters we have for the Olympics, have been in camp since April 24. The moment they returned from the Africa Games, we didn’t allow them much time. We sent them to camp, at the High Performance Centre, here in Abuja and they have been doing well.

“The reason we started camping early is because we want to keep them in competitive mood. You will recall that both of them won three gold medals each at the African Games, so we felt it is important we don’t allow them to lose their competitive spirit,” he said.

Lawal and Eze will join the other Olympic athletes in Germany from first July, in continuation of their preparations before they fly into France for the Olympic Games.