Bauchi State contingent said its 152 athletes were set for the North East zonal elimination at the National Youth Games (NYG) to be hosted in Damaturu, Yobe State, from Aug. 12 to 14.
Mr Sule Abdulhamid, Head of Technical, Bauchi State Sports Council, stated this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Bauchi.
He said not fewer than 152 athletes, males and females, are prepared to participate in the NYG zonal eliminations in Damaturu Yobe State.
“The athletes are fully ready for the 7th edition of zonal teams Sports eliminations tagged Damaturu 2023.
“Our athletes went through a series of training for some months and are in high spirit to participate in the games.
“The Bauchi team would compete in Athletics, Table Tennis, Badminton, Handball, Basketball, Hockey, Table Tennis, Volleyball, and Rugby,” he said.
Abdulhamid said 30 sports will be featured at the seventh edition of the games.
According to him, those that qualified from the zonal eliminations would participate in the National Youth Games which is scheduled to be held in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, from Sept. 7 to 17.
“The objectives of the games is to promote national unity, curb age-cheating in sports and youth restiveness, as well as establish a standard programme for athletes’ succession, among others,” he said.
The head technical appealed to the state government not to relent in its efforts to support and motivate the contingent.
Abdulhamid also lauded the efforts of the state government for promoting youth programmes in the state.
He, however, called on citizens of the state to pray fervently for the contingent to succeed at the event.
