NATIONAL YOUTH GAMES
By
Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba
The Commissioner for Sports, Ogun State Sports Ministry, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, on Friday stated that the main goal of the Team Ogun at the 9th National Youth Games which ends today in Asaba, the Delta State capital is to identify talents for the State and the various national teams.
Honourable Isiaka gave this submission in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG’s Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, emphasizing that at this very young age grade competition, winning medals is not the top priority of the State.
The Commissioner was elated by Team Ogun’s performance in the Sun City, and expressed deep satisfaction in its outing at the Games. He added that during the sports feast, four upcoming talents have been identified by the National Sports Commission and they will be nurtured by the Government.
He further added that these four athletes, from the state contingent have been selected to be part of NSC special training camp.
“We are satisfied with the result, but for us it’s not about winning medals, it’s the number of people we were able to release to the national team, that really is our own achievement,” he said.
Honourable Isiaka explained that sports development has been in the front burner of his administration since inception and through concentrated efforts they have transformed the sporting landscape of the State.
In a bid to further develop sports in the state, he stated that the Sports Ministry will be partnering with primary and secondary schools to help discover and nurture talented athletes to represent the Gateway state and Nigeria.
He further explained that with this new partnership, Ogun State will be competing at the next National Youth Games, with very young and talented athletes.
“There are rooms for improvement and that is why we are bringing in NAPGAS, into the discovery stage, they are the ones in charge of primary school pupils, the athletes we discover through our partnership will be nurtured to the next stage of their career and will represent the state, probably in the under 17 that is about to be introduced,” he stressed.
Honourable Wasiu Isiaka was full of praises for the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for providing the funds to be able to turn the Gateway of the Nation into the home of sports development in Nigeria.
“I would like to thank His Excellency, Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his support towards sports. All the plans in place, our numerous achievements, could not have been possible without his total support, and his zeal, determination and belief in the Sports Ministry to develop sports in the state.”
“I want to say a big thank you, to the Governor and the good people of Ogun State for what we have been able to achieve in sports development. The Governor has always been there to support us anytime, any day,” he concluded.
TEAM OGUN MEDAL TABLE
4 Gold
9 Silver
18 Bronze
12th position
