Sports

Asaba 7th NYG, will be a Beacon of Hope-Sports Minister

Published

4 years ago

January 11, 2023

Joel Ajayi
The 7th Edition of the National Youth Games has been scheduled to hold in Asaba, Delta State, from February 8th to 18th 2023, as announced by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, under the leadership of Hon. Sunday Dare.

Dare, in a letter to various states said, “the NYG has become a beacon of hope for the future of our sports. Its product have been largely responsible for most of the recent successes the nation has witnessed at international sports competitions.”

The minister said that this year’s edition will be made bigger and better, as he encouraged all states to support their contingents to the Games. Imbibing global best practices, he urged States to provide insurance covers for its contingents for the duration of the games, as part of the requirements for participation.

The Games will feature 29 sports which includes athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, chess, fives, scrabble, gymnastics, golf, shooting, swimming, badminton, hockey, para sports, squash, amongst others.

The Dennis Osadebay University Sports Complex, Asaba, Delta State will be the venue for the Games.

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Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

17 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

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