The seventh National Youth Games tagged Asaba 2023 ended recently with victory songs by some and lamentations by some of the participants. As some of these youngsters returned home with medals awaiting civic receptions and cash incentives, the majority of them competed for medals at the Games without making it to the podium, while there were some who added glamour only to the Games. In this piece by GANIYU SALMAN, he reviews the Games and highlights some of the unsung heroes and heroines of Asaba 2023.
Hosts Team Delta retained the title it won two years ago after amassing 51 gold, 34 silver and 31 bronze medals.
Team Lagos came second with 21 gold, 19 silver and 21 bronze medals while Team Edo placed third on the final medals’ table with 21 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze medals.
The U15 championship as usual, threw up a number of talents, which was also acknowledged by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh.
“I’m glad to inform you that over 400 talents have been identified across the 34 sports that featured at this edition of the Games. No doubt, the standard of the Games has been uplifted from what we used to know.
“It is my sincere hope that these athletes would one day become world champions and make the nation proud on the international stage. I wish to emphasise that the Federal Ministry of Sports Development is committed to putting in place policies and programmes that will help in nurturing these discovered talents to global stardom,” Enoh had said in his address at the closing ceremony of Asaba 2023.
During the week-long competition, medallists were celebrated by their various states as they in turn, got cash incentives for their heroics.
It is believed that hosting the seventh NYG will help Delta State to overcome the flaws and challenges that came up during the Games towards hosting subsequent events, especially in the area of accommodation of athletes and offcials.
The timing of Asaba 2023 as revealed posed a challenge to the organisers as schools were in session, thereby making it difficult for the organisers to make use of many hostels that ought to have been available for use during holiday.
Interestingly, there are a number of athletes who can be described as unsung heroes and heroines of Asaba 2023, as their participation alone added glamour to the Games.
Some of these athletes were delight to see right from the opening ceremony at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
In fact, it does not even require any document to ascertain their eligibility for the Games meant for teenagers not above 15 years of age.
These youngsters that could be assigned the roles of ‘mascots’ during an international meet, are back home to hero’s welcome in their various schools after missing the podium at Asaba 2023.
Perhaps, the fame that would accompany their participation at the Games in their localities especially schools, would no doubt propel them far in their sporting and academics career.
These were athletes who were in Asaba practically for fun and competed without stress of winning, like what the Olympic spirit stands for, participation.
If there is one medallist to celebrate, it is Team Delta’s gymnast, Stephanie Ogechukwu Onusiriuka. The 13-year-old won four gold medals in gymnastics at the Games, as she dedicated the landmark achievement to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Another medallist is Demilade Akanbi, who won three gold medals for Team Lagos in swimming, The student of the Children’s International School, Lagos, won the medals in 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly, and 4x50m mixed medley. The mothuer of the 13-year-old swimmer left Lagos to motivate her daughter in Asaba, while the latter too paid back with a superlative performance.
Unarguably, another medallist worthy of mention is Team Edo’s judoka, Emmanuel Abel. Emmanuel sustained an injury [arm dislocation] during the campaign and still won the 35kg boys’ judo gold. He sustained the injury during the bout against Goodluck Anthony Team Katsina.
Asaba 2023 equally produced unsung heroes and heroines that deserve to be celebrated despite their inability to make it to the podium at the Games.
Oyero Beauty Funmilayo: The eight-year-old golfer represented Team Lagos at the Games. She was a delight to see when she began the 18 holes at the Ibori Golf and County Club, Asaba.
Hephzibah Gabriel: The 10-year-old runner competed for Team Akwa Ibom at the Games and made an indelible mark. She came fourth in the final of the 1500m and also featured in the relay. Her participation impressed African athletics chiefs, Solomon Ogba and Tonobok Okowa, who saw her compete in the 4×400 mixed relay semi finals. Hephzibah received baton late but undaunted as she raced on to do the needful.
Esther Fatayo, an eight-year-old gymnast represented Team Ogun at the Games and gave a good account of herself.
Naomi Ehi Onoja: She emerged the youngest athlete at Asaba 2023. The five-year-old competed in chess for Team Benue at the Games, and caught the attention of many spectators as well as her colleagues. The pupil of IVY DO Nursery and Primary school, Benue, emerged one of the discoveries at Asaba 2023 to be groomed for future national and international competitions.
Omokorede Sanni Lisa: The six-year-old gymnast competed for Team Kano. She holds the enviable record of being the first to represent Kano State in gymnastics in the history of the National Youth Games which began in 2013.
Her mother, Mrs Olubukola Funsho Sanni, paid for the flight tickets also for her daughter from Kano to Asaba to boost the morale of the teenage golfer.
Omokorede finished fifth in her event among over 100 golfers who competed for honours.
Bright Wegna. He also stole the show when he represented Team Kwara at Asaba 2023. The eight-year-old golfer was a delight to watch among the youngsters on parade at the Ibori Golf and County Club, Asaba.
Musa Umar AlMustapha: The 10-year-old boy represented Team Nasarawa in scrabble and had a sweet experience to build on in his sporting career.
Okereke Ngozi: Another moment to celebrate at the Games was the presence of a man, Mr Okereke, who celebrated his daughter, Ngozi, after making the podium in the colours of Team Delta. The joy between father and daughter was simply undescribable, so amazing. Mr Okereke left work to watch Ngozi, anchor Team Delta to win the gold in 4x400m relay ahead of Team Ogun and Team Rivers. Ngozi also won the gold in the 400m event with a Personal Best of 55.55 seconds.
A parent, Ms Irene Dumuje, was also at the Games to boost her son, Aidan Dumuje-Abili The Bullet who won three gold and one silver medals in swimming for Team Delta. Irene was excited about the platform provided the youngsters to hone their skills, apart from serving as an avenue for them to make friends among themselves.
Godstime Eteng: She won a silver medal for Team Rivers in the 1500m. Her podium appearance was witnessed by her dad as both later posed for photo shots in celebration.
Another athlete who drew her parent to the Games venue was Olaana Onyejianya. The athlete won one gold, one silver and one bronze medals at the Games as the historic moment was also witnessed by her mum, Mrs Amaka Bervely Agbakoba-Onyejianya.
Chibuike Emmanuel Oranye: The 10-year-old proved to be a star in the making at Asaba 2023 when he represented Team Anambra in taekwondo. Chibuke capped his outing at the Games when he won a gold medal in Taekwondo display poomsae.
Munyal Simone Kwairanga: The case of this 12-year-old gymnast who represented Team Ogun was classic. Not only she competed at the Games, she also proved to be one of the best in gymnastics after winning a silver medal in Vault and bronze in Floor. Kwairanga with her exploits no doubt remains one of the discoveries at Asaba 2023 as she looks forward to a glorious sporting career in the nearest future.
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