U-15 National Youth Games; Adesola Commends Team FCT
By: Emmanuel Tortiv.
Ahead of the closing ceremony of the 7th Edition of the Under 15 National Youths Games taking place in Asaba, Delta State, the Permanent Secretary FCT, Mr. Olusade Adesola has commended Team FCT for showing high level of improvement in their overall outing at the Games.
The Permanent Secretary stated this in a live phone-in radio programme, FactFile, Streamed on the Raypower Network from Lagos.
The programme was monitored yesterday by Abuja Digest in Abuja.
Speaking when asked about the place of FCT on the Medals Table, Mr. Adesola said “you know in FCT at all times we strive for progress and we’ve worked hard to improve on their performance. We came to 10th position from 17th position in this Medals Table and as at yesterday, we are number 5 position. But as you said as the Medals Table continues to be updated, their positions keep changing so we can really not start celebrating yet. It is obvious there is tremendous improvement and progress in FCT and we wish to sustain it.”
On whether the FCT is part of States with the age conundrum, the Permanent Secretary said he has not received such reports and he did not expect FCT to be involved.
He said FCT subjected itself to the various regulatory agencies overseeing the conduct of players at the games; adding that the Territory has always set the pace for self regulation.
Asked if there was any athletes of notes that marked out FCT as superstars of tomorrow, Mr. Adesola expressed satisfaction with the athletes lead in karate and badminton.
His words: “We are working hard to have the leadership of badminton return to the FCT.”
He thanked Delta State for accepting to host the Games, while acknowledging that despite the fact that there were teething problems, the overall objectives has been achieved as there can be no gain without pain.
Adesola appreciated the Ministry of Youths and Sports where he was once the Permanent Secretary; stressing that with the Renewed Hope Agenda coming up, there’s every conviction that regular feature of the Games will be restored with ‘vigour’ to enable Youths in Nigeria to be better engaged in Sporting events at the National and International arena.
It may be noted that as at yesterday, FCT was trailing closely behind Edo State on the Medals Table as number 5 with 9 Gold, 10 Silver and 2 Bronze. Host Delta State is maintaining a comfortable lead with 27Gold, 20Silver and 16Bronze while Lagos State is second with 16Gold, 11Silver and 12Bronze.
Accordingly, a statement released by Vivian Onubogu,
Head, Media and Communications Unit of
FCT Sports Department said there is greater hope on the way for a harvest of more Gold Medals in Sports like Relay, Track and Field Events and Karate.
The Championship is ending today 30th September, 2023, with a closing ceremony to mark the end of the 7th Edition of the National Youth Games holding in the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.
FCT has been brought to the Medals Table with Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Tennis, Shooting Sport, Taekwando, Badminton, Karate and Golf. The statement concluded.
