Delta won’t parade over-aged athletes at National Youth Games, says Okowa

The Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa has reiterated the determination of the state to win the third edition of the National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Okowa who spoke in Asaba at the weekend assured that the commission would not field over age athletes as it intends to stick to the age category

“There will be no room for over-aged athletes,” he said. “All the athletes for the games must reside in the state. Delta indigenes living outside the state will be barred. To be qualified, the athletes must be in secondary schools in the state. Anybody who is not qualified will be dismissed.”

Okowa said that with the on-going preparation, the state was poised to once again win the sports fiesta, which comes up in Ilorin, Kwara state between September 7 and 17.

He recalled that at the maiden edition of the game in 2013 at Abuja, the state came top with a haul of 20 gold, eight silvers and eight bronze medals, while the same feat was repeated at the second edition at Ilorin with nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals.

The Chairman said that the state had gone very far in the preparation towards the defence of the ttitle in Ilorin. He disclosed that the commission has constituted 18-member Organizing Committee to properly prepare athletes and ensure the success of the games, which is open to U-17 athletes.

Okowa said: “Team Delta as defending champion is set to go and do what she knows best. The athletes and officials are in top form as the governor has provided virtually all the needs of our contigents for effective participation.”

He said that the sports boys and girls are presently being camped in Asaba, Oghara, Agbor and Lagos, noting that as part of preparation, the state took part in the tonal elimination for Team Sports clinching slots in female volleyball, male and female hockey whilst the basketball team came out second in both male and female categories