By Dare Kuti, Ilorin on September 25, 2016

A  Director of Grassroots Sports Development in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports,  Ademola Are, is confident that more young talents will be discovered at this year’s National Youth Games in Ilorin.

Are expressed delight at the prospect of staging the second edition of the age-grade event in the Kwara State capital, stressing the sports ministry’s resolve to providing platforms to unearth hidden talents at the grassroots.

“Look out for the best, strictly under-17 and we will abide by the rules and regulations,” Are told the media, adding:

“lt’s a mini Olympic games and we want to ensure they go by the rules so that Nigeria can get it right for once.

“It’s a delight to have the children get the opportunity to showcase their God given talent. It is stressful, challenging and the country will boast of good athletes.”

On what should be expected during the games, he urged various sports federations to key into the ministry’s grassroots programmes by taking over the discovered athletes and ensure the country achieves more podium successes at upcoming international sports meets.

Earlier, the secretary of the Main Organizing Committee, Emmanuel Okere, assured that they are set for the successful kickoff of the sporting event on Saturday with 23 of 33 participating states already on ground.

Okere disclosed that the opening ceremony will commence by 2pm on Saturday after the completion of accreditation of participating states slated to begin by 8am.

States that are already present are hosts Kwara, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Yobe, Imo, Rivers, FCT, Adamawa, Niger, Anambra, Gombe, Jigawa, Plateau and Ebonyi.

Others are Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba, Sokoto, Delta, Kaduna, Ogun, Borno.

Cross Rivers State was the overall winner of the maiden National Youth Games held in Abuja in 2013.

•Photo shows Ademola Are.

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 25, 2016

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