Edo, first to harvest gold medals as 8th National Youth Games begin

As competitions began on Thursday , September 12,2024 at the 8th National Youth Games ' Asaba 2024' Weightlifting Athlete Esther Amarachi Chijioke won three Gold Medals for Edo State on day one of the games, making the heartbeat state to be fist to win Gold in the Asaba Games.

The team Edo weightlifter Chijoke Esther won the three gold medals in Clean and Jark (45 kg), Snatch 56kg and got the job done with 71 kg (total for 3 gold medals) in the female category of the event which held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

Speaking shortly after the event, the golden girl from Benin Chijioke Esther said she was happy that God crowned her efforts with success.

" I am excited. I thank God for the victory after all our training, all the preparations so far, getting the desired result is what everybody wants. I thank my coaches and the Edo State Sports Commission for making preparation for the games good for us," Esther said.

Also speaking, Williams Omoroghomwan Ikponmwosa, Edo weightlifting coach said he was fulfilled after his athlete picked first Gold medals for Edo.

He added that his team is capable of getting more Gold medals for Edo State as the competition progresses.

Meanwhile, the 8th National Youth Games has officially been declared open with the Minister of Sports and the Governor of Delta State wishing all participants successful games in Asaba.

All the participanting states' contingent including team Edo graced the opening ceremony and participated in the march past as the red and white traditional colours of Edo radiates in the crowd.

The host Governor of Delta State His Excellency Sheriff F. Oborevwori in his remarks said: "Let me welcome the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Development Senator John Enor who represents the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at this 8th National Youth Games and to specifically appreciate the organising committees. The Delta State is proud to partner with the Federal Ministry of Sports Development to ensure that the goals and objectives of this event are realized. "The National Youth Games is a powerful vehicle for athletes development. Permit me to say that athletes development is not just about sports performance but also about developing social and ethical skills. To all our athletes, I congratulate you on making it here. I urge you to compete fairly but fiercely. You may not always win but you will be remembered for putting in your best. " Governor Sheriff said.

He wished the athletes and coaches successful outings while urging them including to let fair play be their watchward.

Governor Sheriff also advised states to give priority attention to school sports programmes. He said there should be compulsory inter house sports for primary and secondary schools as well as well designed sports development programmes for tertiary institutions in taking sports to the next level.

"I am eagerly looking forward to highly competitive games in the days ahead. I expect new talents to be discovered and new records set. At the end of the 10-day events, I believe that Nigerian sports would take another giant step forward. " Governor Oborevwori added.

The Asaba Games enters its Day 2 of competition on Friday with sports activities lineup in the schedules as team Edo Karate is scheduled for a fight at 8AM inside the Multipurpose Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium.