Determined to defend their title on home soil, Team Delta has assembled over 600 athletes in a closed camp in Asaba, launching full-scale preparations for the 9th National Youth Games scheduled to run from August 26 to September 6, with Delta State also playing host for this year’s edition.

The athletes have been camped across three strategic locations; St. Brigid’s School, the Delta Sports Commission hostel, and the hockey hostel in Okpanam as Team Delta intensifies its quest to extend its dominance at the Youth Games.

Festus Ohwojero of the local organising committee, on Monday revealed that the athletes are already undergoing intensive training, with the final squad set to be unveiled later this week.

“We have over 600 athletes in three different camps right now,” Ohwojero said. “Very soon, the number of athletes that will represent Team Delta in the ninth National Youth Games will be made known to the public.”

Bayelsa Makes Strong Statement in South-South Zonal Eliminations

Team Bayelsa has strengthened its prospects for the 9th National Youth Games following a standout performance at the South-South zonal eliminations, held recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

With a 250-strong contingent competing across 10 sporting disciplines, Bayelsa impressed on multiple fronts particularly in basketball and football.

Team Bayelsa’s basketball teams delivered strong performances at the South-South zonal eliminations. The female team topped their group with dominant wins over Rivers and Akwa Ibom, while the male team qualified after beating Akwa Ibom and Edo, despite a narrow extra-time loss to Rivers.

For football, Bayelsa’s male team won all three group matches, sealing their place at the Games, while the female team stayed in contention after recording two vital victories.

With zonal qualifiers wrapped up and state teams putting finishing touches on their preparations, all is set for an exciting showdown as the 9th National Youth Games kicks off in Asaba on August 26.