Edo, Delta excel, organisers disqualify 22

Edo and Delta states are the leading teams in the South South zone of the on-going National Youth Games qualifying matches, even as 22 athletes from Edo State have been disqualified from the series, reports the News Agency Nigeria (NAN).

The fifth edition of the National Youth Games will hold in Ilorin, Kwara State from September 7 to 17, 2019.

In football, although Edo State was reduced to nine boys, the team still defeated Bayelsa 3-2 to qualify for the tournament in Kwara.

Innocent Mmerem of Edo scored the opener in the ninth minute; Cabila Michael got the second goal in the 16th, while Michael Nwachukwu scored the third goal in 38th minute.

However, Martins Levi of Bayelsa scored a brace in the 47th and 90th minute respectively to reduce the tally.

Speaking after the match, Team Edo’s Head coach, Aghahowa Osayomore, expressed satisfaction with his players’ performance, saying that the win was dedicated to God and the people of Edo.

“My boys were determined all through the match, playing without reserve; with this history today I believe when we get to Ilorin we will win the competition.

“Edo government has been so wonderful in the way and manner it handled our preparation and the feeding and paying of allowances are commendable,” he said.

Edo and Delta are through to the football competition, as Delta earlier beat Edo 1-0, and also trounced Bayelsa 3-0.

In cricket, Edo’s male team scored 76 runs to defeat Team Delta, which scored 74 runs in the ongoing South South Zonal elimination of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Delta.

Earlier, Edo Director of Sports, Sunny Airende revealed that 22 out of its 93 players were disqualified from the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) Zonal Elimination.

Airende said the players were disqualified as a result of over age, urging the rest of the players to remain focused with their training.

“I want them to remain focused, not to be distracted in order for them to win medals for the state and zone.

“They should train hard, put in their best as the state government has given them the necessary support for their preparation.

“I am optimistic that when we get to the competition fully, we are going to do well and win medals for our great state,” he said.

The director said that Edo came with seven registered sports; basketball, cricket, football, handball, hockey, rugby and volleyball.