The debate over what age should participate at the Nationnal Youth Games (NYG) was re-ignited by the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at the opening ceremony of the 8th edition of the games in Asaba.
The Governor rightly stated that instead of the present U-15, the organisers should make the event an U-17 affair. I suppose the Minister for Sports Development, Hon. John Enoh could not but agree with him.
Since that pronouncement, major stakeholders have either kicked against it or supported the noble idea of Delta State Governor.
First to kick against the idea was a well-known former Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission (name withheld) and the Commissioner for Sports, Oyo State, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke Adefemi.
While the former Director General described it as retrogressive idea for grassroots development, Oyo State Sports boss said it negates the very essence and spirit of catching them young. “ We call this programme catch them young. I think it is the best way for us to catch them young, so, I don’t see any reason for extending the age bracket”.
However, the immediate past Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission and President of Athletic Federation of Nigeria, Tonobok Okowa rose to the defence of the Governor by declaring emphatically that this is what they have been fighting for.
According to him, “ I am in support of what Governor Oborevwori proposed that we should return to U-17 for the National Youth Games. We have been clamouring for this for a long time. We have no business with U-15 because that is the job of school Sports. We have Nigerian School Sports Federation and they are the ones to handle that.”.
He further gave more reasons for what he called popular opinion. “ What we are doing now is mere duplication of roles and responsibilities which is not good for us. Between the ages of 15 and 17, there is no competition for them and they fizzle out. They cannot compete in U- 18 World Youth Championship and that of U-20 junior category. The law does not recognise them. Moreover, it will help curb age cheat because at that level of U- 15, school Principals should endorse their letters of participation as students and any principal found wanting should be dealt with. At the U -17, it is difficult to cheat because of the documentations.
Whatever age you declare there would remain with you because records are sent to the World Athletics Federation. They don’t keep records at the U-15 because it is not in the calendar of the Athletics Federation both here and in other Countries “.
To corroborate this assertion, Mr Joseph Okporoma, who retired as Head of School Sports some years ago in Delta State said the Commissioners have no business in U-15 which belong to the School Sports.
“ This is purely out of school Games and the earlier the better for them to revert to U-17. The law says anybody who has participated in a competition cannot attend National Youth Games but I can see female players who have featured for clubs here. The essence of the U-15 is to discover green horn athletes but these are not”.
On his own, Dr Tando Kweku, a renowned Sports administrator vehemently opposed those campaigning for the present status quo to be maintained.
“ I completely disagree with all of you. There is no retrogression in this new classification of the NYGames back to U-17. This is the way to go. You may wish to recall that the issue of pegging the NYGames @U-17 was hotly debated at National Council on Sports Meeting in 2013 after the Presidential Retreat on Sports held @Aso Rock Villa. A Committee was set up by our former DG(NSC), Chief (Dr) Pat Ekeji during Council Meeting. I was the Chairman of that 5- Man Technical Sub Committee on the issue.
Our Committee recommended U-18 classification for the games but Council in its wisdom, adopted the U-17 category, which aligns with the popular FIFA World Cup and very close to the renowned USA NCAA program in Athletics. These two successful sports programmes have quickly produced numerous world champions within a two-year circle.
The fact, is that Nigeria needs our strong, virile & able bodied young ones that can immediately migrate into the senior national teams for all sports at short moments to replace our aging athletes.
That was our original mission & vision, as the founding fathers of the NYGames.
We, in Delta State have been the strongest proponents of the NYGames after the London 2012 Olympics games failure. We thank God today, that it has become a reality as the nation is holding the 8th edition.
Finally, let’s give this U-17 classification a chance, please. Our national School Sports programs should be revamped also to cater for other Age Grade Competitions including the U-15 and below.” The NYGames was originally designed to be hosted at the MKO Abiola Stadium only on annual basis as a gift from the sitting Nigerian President to the vibrant Youths of our great country.
It was also expected to provide ample opportunity for regular maintenance of the ultra-modern sporting facilities at the MKO Abiola national stadium that is already experiencing perennial neglect and untimely decadence.
With the above submissions, it is my candid view that the organisers of the National Youth Games should revert to the 17 year age for the overall interest of the Nation.
