National Youth Games 2013: 370 new talents discovered – Minister

Ministry says it is ready to work with new talents

The National Youth Games which debuted on Sunday in Abuja has ended with Cross Rivers State as the overall winner, Akwa Ibom as the first runner up, and Delta as the second runner up.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the games started and ended well. He urged Nigerians not to see the event, consisting of fourteen games, as a medal event but an event for talent discovery.

“The game is not about medals but to provide the platform for athletes to demonstrate their potentials. We have witnessed the spirit of sports amongst people at the length and breadth of this country. We have seen young people compete in 14th sports discipline,” the minister said.

Mr. Abdullahi also said that over 300 fresh talents were discovered.

“I have been told that three hundred and seventy plus talents were discovered, a demonstration of what’s possible to work together in a common objective” Mr. Abdullahi added.”We are excited to see the determination and fairness and the true spirit of sportsmanship that all athletes displayed throughout the event. Important lessons were learnt even though we believe the next one would be a lot better.”

The minister assured Nigerians that all the federations were ready to work with the new talents that were discovered.

“Already the federations are ready to invite the talents discovered into their games to prepare for the next Olympics. You may not see them competing immediately at the next commonwealth games, then we take it from there,” he said.

The no-medal events recorded four Gold medals, three Silver medals and seven bronze medals. It is a biannual event.