Delta State Government on Tuesday in Asaba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government to host the National Youth Games (NYG) for the next four years.
The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, signed for the Federal Government while Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta signed for the state government during a ceremony at the Government House.
In his remarks, Okowa thanked the minister for his contributions to sports development in the country and for building the youths through sports.
He added that his administration had a warm relationship with the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, and commended Dare for the turnaround sports development had recorded under him.
“As a state, we want to categorically state that we are glad with what you have done and we are proud of you.
“You did not sit back in Abuja as the Sports Minister, but you went out relating with the states because the country is made up of states and without the states, there is no nation.
“We must learn to build together as a nation and that is the best way to develop this country of ours.
“I also want to thank you for the partnership you have with Delta. You realised from the beginning that we play a pivotal role.”
Okowa also assured that the state government would continue to partner with the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development to discover and grow more talents across the country.
He recalled that in 2018, the state government opened the Asaba Township Stadium with a national event in which several countries participated.
“We have had several relationships with the national level in both football and athletics. Only recently, we hosted the National Sports Festival (NSF).
“We are yet again happy to host the NYG in the next four years. It is a game that has actually become our own. We only hope that other states compete favourably,” Okowa said.
He recalled that Delta was known for encouraging sports development and urged other states to do same.
“I truly want all states to realise that you must catch them young, and if you are going to catch them young, you must start early.
“Sports is a good way to develop the minds of our youths and it helps us to relate with each other across the nation and as we do so, we are helping to build bonds of unity across Nigeria.
“Here in this state, we do not take it lightly. Very soon we will have another Youth Games. We do it yearly, the football competition and several others. We believe that ‘catching-them-young’ is the best,” the governor said.
Earlier, the minister had noted that Delta had become the hub for sports development in Nigeria, commending Okowa for his contributions to the development of new talents across state and country.
“Delta undoubtedly has become the home of sports in Nigeria and it has contributed immensely to sports development in Nigeria.
“I am happy to say that in the last four years, the Delta State Government has contributed to sports development and in the last NSF, it proved that it is serious in doing that by organising a very robust NSF.
“Delta has now graciously agreed to host the NYG for the next four years. Delta is a talent hub for our sports and it is a beacon for the development of sports,” he said.
“You know that unless you nurture them, the talents won’t blossom. This is why we are very proud of Delta.
“I am happy that in the next four years, our young talents will find succour in Delta with the signing of this MoU and I have the belief that our sports will be great through this,” Dare added.(NAN)
