Bayelsa Sports Commissioner, Daniel Igali, has called for the strict enforcement of age eligibility for athletes participating in the National Youth Games (NYG).
Igali, a former world wrestling champion, emphasized the importance of selecting only under-15 athletes for the competition, noting that many participants were disqualified due to being overaged.
He reiterated that the primary purpose of the NYG is to identify and nurture young talents, rather than focusing solely on winning medals.
“The National Youth Games is designed to discover and develop future athletes, not just to win medals,” Igali said.
Reflecting on the recently concluded NYG 2024 in Asaba, Igali acknowledged that the event met expectations but stressed that improvements are needed in areas like organization and the screening process for athletes.
Igali also urged both the government and corporate organizations to provide more financial support to all sporting federations in the country.
According to him, such sponsorship would significantly enhance the growth and development of sports in Nigeria.
