After National Youth Games, what next?

The 7th National Youth Games, NYG in Asaba, Delta State may have come and gone, with many stories to tell and memories to remember but after that, what is next?

The Games was a memorable one, no doubt, especially when one considers the records broken, the number of talented and minor athletes that participated including some States that have started embracing sports and dominating some fields that were inimical to them.

Without much ado, the Games was a success even though there were skemishes at the beginning that saw some people trying to paint the Host State in bad light.

However, many stakeholders are worried of what will become the fate of the athletes that participated in the just-concluded Games.

During the Games, Lagos State Sports Commission chairman, Mr. Sola Aiyekpeku claimed that the NYG does not add value to sports, saying that there ought to be another competition for the under 16 or 17 before the athletes can transcede to the mainstream of the National Sports Festival, NSF.

Former Delta State Sports Commission chairman, Chief Solomon Ogba also tow the same argument, saying there is need for the Grassroot Department of the Federal Ministry of Sports, to try and come up with a competition that would accomodate athletes that have passed the age of 15 since the NYG is meant specifically for age 15 and below.

The former Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN President further advised the Sports Ministry through the director of grassroot to call a meeting of National Sports Council in order to submit a proposal, assuring that it will get their supports.

Meanwhile, if nothing is done to introduce maybe U16 or 17 games, it won’t be advisable to send the athletes of 16 or 17 years to compete at the NSF against top athletes, some, professionals, who might come from all walks of life. They might be intimidated and demoralised if they fail to compete favourably with them.

Also, there is need for the director of Grassroot to develop a programme for the talents discovered. NYG should go beyond just organizing competition.

There is need for the talents discovered to be nurtured to stardom. That can be achieved by having a list of those outstanding athletes, call them to camp during their school holidays to be tutored and prepared ahead of any major competition not until they are preparing for one. And they can also expose them to competitions within and outside the shores of the country. These are the ones that will replace the ageing athletes.

It took Tobi Amusan more than 11 years to become world champion, according to Chief Ogba. Amusan, alongside Ese Brume amongst others were discovered during his time as AFN President, dominated the African continent in athletics before they emerged as world champions.

So, after the NYG, the Grassroot Department of the Ministry must not allow the efforts of the States who are fast buying into the project of grassroot development to be wasted. Some of them spent a fortune to discover and nurture the athletes to where they are now. Before now, many of them were not interested in Sports but today, it is a different ball-game. Many of them are becoming a force to reckon with, even in other States’ strongholds.

For instance, Bendel State in those days dominated the sprint before they were separated to be Edo and Delta States but at the just-concluded NYG, Kwara and Anambra stole the show. Although, Delta won the 4x400m and Mixed Relays.

Another surprising feat is Lagos dominating the swimming event with four gold medals against States like Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and others who have people staying in and around water. The same with wrestling which Bayelsa dominated for some times especially during the competition that was hosted in Yenagoa couple with the fact that the President of Wrestling Federation, Mr. Daniel Igali, who is also a coach is their Sports Commissioner.

The conclusion is that, the Ministry should take advantage of all the talents at their disposal and if possible put them on scholarship with the help of corporate bodies, so that they can easily have access to them whenever they are needed instead of allowing them to rot away as we have seen in the past.