Enugu State Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu has said that the maiden edition of the Under-15 Youth Games in Enugu the Enugu State capital sponsored by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) will go a long way in discovering hidden talented youths in athletics and other sporting activities in the state. Ekweremadu stated this while briefing journalists in Enugu on Wednesday on the 2024 Under-15 youth Games which started on August 20, stressing that it might go beyond August 25 because of late registration of athletes. He said: “the state government led by Governor Peter Mbah is committed to the development of grassroot sports as it remains a veritable tool for economic and social development.”
The Commission commended Governor Mbah for providing an enabling environment for both foreign and local investors to thrive, adding that the state government’s partnership with China Company to host the 2024 Under-15 youth in Enugu is a manifestation of the top priority given to sports in the state.
He assured that adequate security had been made to protect the over 2,000 athletes drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state as well as their coaches. According to him, “We are partnering with secondary schools in providing accommodation for the athletes. We are also working with the police to ensure that the accommodation environment and competition venues, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu are secured because their security is important to us. “A total of forty athletes were drawn from each of the local governments areas in the state and local governments were allowed to make their own selection from schools and community sports competitions.”
The Sports Commissioner recalled that Governor Mbah recently signed the Enugu State Sports Development Fund into law which allows for private sector participation in sports development in the state.
“The tournament will feature a total of 18 sports, including football, volleyball, Basketball, Boxing, Athletics, Cycling, Wrestling among other games. The local government with the most medals across the sports will receive N1million while the second and third highest will receive N500,000 and N300,000, respectively”, he stated.
