Delta embarks on athletes’ training camp, Bayelsa shines in NYG qualifiers in Uyo
By Uzor Odigbo
As the countdown to the National Youth Games (NYG) intensifies, reigning champions Team Delta have commenced an intensive training camp, while Team Bayelsa displayed outstanding performance at the zonal eliminations in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Over 600 athletes are currently lodged at St. Brigid’s School hostel, the Delta Sports Commission hostel, and the Hockey hostel, Okpanam, as the host state completes preparations for the Games, scheduled to hold from August 26 to September 6 in Asaba.
An official of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Festus Ohwojero, explained that over 600 athletes are spread across three camps, with the final list of athletes and officials to represent Delta at the Games to be released later this week
While Delta are banking on their depth and pedigree, Bayelsa are making headlines with their exploits at the qualifiers, where they stamped authority across several events.
Backed by Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Andrew Aye, Bayelsa stormed Uyo with a strong contingent and competed in ten sports.
Their basketball teams were outstanding: the female side thrashed Rivers and crushed Akwa Ibom to finish top, while the boys saw off Akwa Ibom and Edo before narrowly losing to Rivers in added time, yet still booked their ticket.
In football, Bayelsa’s male squad proved ruthless, winning all matches to qualify, while the female team claimed two victories to keep their dream alive. Both male and female abula teams also secured qualification, with the ladies topping the zone. Bayelsa’s softball side finished first after wins against Rivers and hosts Akwa Ibom, while their volleyball male team sealed qualification in style with back-to-back set victories.
Assessing the performance, Aye noted that Bayelsa had moved beyond the stage of mere participation, stressing that the athletes had shown they were now genuine competitors.
By the close of eliminations, Bayelsa had qualified in several major sports, setting up what promises to be a thrilling showdown with hosts Delta in Asaba.
