Sports
Sports Minister to Declare National Youth Games Open in Asaba
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh will officially declare the National Youth Games open on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
In anticipation of the event, Senator John Owan Enoh has emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the Games by strictly adhering to the age requirement.
He reiterated that the National Youth Games are intended for athletes 15 years of age and below, and any attempts at age cheating will not be tolerated.
“As the name of the Games implies, this competition is strictly for the youth. We are committed to providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents in a fair and transparent environment. The technical team has been instructed to ensure that only athletes within the age bracket of 15 years and below participate.”
“Age cheating undermines the purpose of these Games, and we will take firm measures to prevent it,” Senator Enoh stated.
Delta State, renowned for its rich sporting culture, is the host for this year’s event, and the stage is set for an exciting celebration of youth talent and sportsmanship.
The National Youth Games have become an important event in the nation’s sports calendar, offering young athletes the opportunity to compete at a national level and hone their skills. The Games are also a key part of Nigeria’s talent identification and development strategy, helping to groom the next generation of sporting stars.
The Honourable Minister called on all participanting States to embody the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship, while urging spectators and fans to support the young athletes as they represent their states in various sporting disciplines.
The opening ceremony promises to be a grand spectacle, with several dignitaries and sports stakeholders expected to attend in celebration of the future of Nigerian sports.
Sports
Gang James Makes History Despite Second-Place Finish in Abuja Half Marathon
Cyril Ogar
Ethiopia’s Gemechu Tolosa Daba on Saturday emerged winner of the men’s elite race at the third edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, finishing ahead of Nigeria’s Gang James, who set a new national record.
Tolosa crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 1:01:56 to claim the top prize of $8,000 in the 21km race, while Nigeria’s James finished second in 1:01:58, setting a new Nigerian national record.
James also emerged as the best Nigerian runner, earning $6,000 for his second-place finish in the international category, alongside ₦1.5 million as the winner of the local runners’ category.
Kenya’s Lampard Kingoo finished third in 1:01:59, while compatriot Enos Kipruto came fourth in 1:02:06. Uganda’s Julius Ochieng completed the top five with a time of 1:02:27.
The race, which attracted more than 5,000 participants, started opposite the Federal Fire Service on Mohammed Buhari Way and ended at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Speaking after the race, James expressed delight at setting a new national record in front of his home crowd, describing the achievement as a reward for his hard work and dedication.
“I am very happy to break the National Record. I worked so hard for this moment, and to do it here in Abuja, in front of my people, makes it even more special,” he said.
He added that competing against some of Africa’s finest long-distance runners inspired him to deliver his best performance.
“Running against Gemechu and the Kenyans pushed me to give my best. I knew I had to stay with them till the end. This record is just the beginning for me,” James said.
The third edition of the competition attracted elite athletes from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, among other countries, with about 50 international elite runners participating.
The event, sponsored by PremiumTrust Bank and organised by Nilayo Sports Management, recorded increased international participation compared with previous editions.
The competition offered prizes ranging from $8,000 to $500 for international participants, while Nigerian athletes received cash rewards ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦2 million.
The successful outing further highlighted Abuja’s growing potential as a destination for international road-running competitions, while providing Nigerian athletes with an opportunity to compete against some of the continent’s best long-distance runners.
The colourful event also featured musical performances by Nigerian artistes, entertaining athletes, guests and spectators before, during and after the presentation of prizes to the winners.
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