By Gracious Akujobi The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the forthcoming National Youth Games (NYG), Al-Hassan Yakmut has confirmed that 32 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be participating in the Youth games scheduled to begin in Abuja on Thursday, December 5.
According to Yakmut, the participation was confirmed at the end of the Delegate Registration Meeting (DRM) organised by the technical sub-committee in November in Abuja.
He expressed satisfaction with the preparations made so far ahead of the games,saying that staff of the Secretariat had redoubled their effort in the last one week to ensure a successful event.
“Already we have confirmed participation from 32 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the total number of 480 athletes and officials being expected for the 14 different sports.
“The venue and facility committee has earmarked competition grounds for each of the sport, maintenance work will start in earnest to ensure that all the dimensions of indoor and outdoor courts are marked and to ensure total environmental sanitation surrounding the competition facilities.
“The medical sub-committee has developed a strategic plan for the delivery of medical support. On other side, the doping control committee is ensuring that some couple of tests will be conducted.
“A lot of campaign and advocacy programme will be carried to ensure that these young stars are adequately informed on the dangers of involving themselves with prohibited substance,” Yakmut explained.
Yakmut, who is also the Director, Grassroots Sports Development at the National Sports Commission (NSC), said Zamfara State has indicated interest to participate in the games inspite of its absence at the DRM.
The LOC chairman also revealed that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) would provide the transportation needs of the games, while sports companies, Puma and Super Sports are assisting in terms of merchandising.
