Two days to the closing ceremony, Plateau State athletes at the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State have been advised to remain focused on the objectives of the games which is a talent hunt.
State commissioner for Youth and Sports, Danladi Mann gave the advise when he addressed the athletes & officials at their University of Ilorin camp.
Mann lauded governor Simon Lalong for his vision to develop the youth through sports
The commissioner expressed joy with the report that Plateau is the most disciplined state at the games and one of the states that featured athletes within the required age.
He assured the athletes that their welfare will not be compromised.
The Director Sports Development of the state sports council, Simon Moven, announced to the delight of the athletes that payment of their allowance will commence immediately after the parley with the commissioner.
Plateau State went to the games with a contingent of two hundred & twenty one athletes.
In another development, Plateau has won it’s first gold medal at the games.
Blessing Ola, won a gold in scrabble, while Joy Ola, got the silver also in same event.
The male hockey, squash and basketball teams won bronze.
This brings the total medal garnered by team Plateau to one gold, four silver and nine bronze.
Meanwhile, the Director Grassroots Sports Development in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Ademola Are has appealed to the conscience of states directors of sports to always feature athletes within the required age.
Are made the appeal during an interactive session with journalists covering the games.
The director maintained that the fielding of over age athletes will deprive the country the opportunity to get the best due to recycling of the same athletes.
The games has been characterized by issue age falsification which led to disqualification of some athletes.
