Edo will not settle for less in Asaba NYC – Chikere

The Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, Sabina Chikere, has said that Team Edo has set high goals for the National Youth Festival.

“The 9th National Youth Games is not going to be an exception. Edo State is going to Asaba to win; we are going there for business,” she said during the week.

Chikeren said that Team Edo will make their voices heard in the Delta State capital.

She added that the Sports Commission, under the leadership of Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has been working tirelessly to prepare the Team for the event.

“We’ve been preparing seriously since we came back from the national sports festival, everything has been put in place to make sure we get the right hands to go to Asaba to deliver. Edo State is known for success, Edo State is known for medals, Edo State will be on the podium at the end of the championship.

“The Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Honourable Enabulele, has told all the coaches, given them a mandate on what is expected of them at the youth game so we are very hopefully and optimistic that Edo State will be on the podium at the end of the Youth Games,” she said.

She emphasized that the goal of the ESSC is to develop sports among the youths of the state, creating the platform for the next set of stars to be born.

“We focus on grassroots development in Edo State, so we’ve been doing a lot towards this grassroots development and catching them young,” Sabina Chikere noted.

Chikere noted that athletes representing Edo State at Youth Games will be nurtured and trained beyond the sports feast.

“We are trying to get these children from secondary schools, for them to be able to participate, and after the event we will continue to train them, knowing most of them are still in school. The coaches are still with them, the nurturing will continue, we are not going to leave them after the games; we will continue to train them, to nurture them.

“Our aim is for Edo State to be in every national team, we are not going to abandon them, we will keep them, we will keep monitoring them, keep nurturing them, so that they will grow and be strong in their various sports,” she stressed.

She praised the National Sports Commission, (NSC), led by Mallam Shehu Dikko stating that their commitment towards sports development in Nigeria is the reason behind the upcoming talents being discovered in Nigeria.

The National Youth Games is scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 6, 2025, bringing together the best young talents from across the country to compete for glory and national recognition at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.