31 states arrive in Abuja for National Youth Games

By Raphael Ekpang
About 31 states of the country have so far arrived for the maiden National Youth Games (NYG) organised by the National Sports Commission, NSC Newsdiaryonline reports.
The states in various camps around the city now include; Borno, Kebbi, Kano, Akwa Ibom, FCT, Abia, Imo, Delta, Taraba, Enugu, Bayelsa, Osun, Kwara, Benue, Cross River, Rivers, Oyo, Anambra and Bauchi.
Others are Ebonyi, Kogi, Yobe, Plateau, Gombe, Sokoto, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Ogun, Ondo and Katsina.
However, Lagos, Edo, Adamawa, Zamfara, Ekiti and Jigawa are not participating in the maiden edition of the National Youth Gamess scheduled to hold between December 6-14 in Abuja.
Newsdiaryonline check showed that various states contingents have settled down in their respected camps and are rearing to go when the events finally kicks off on Sunday with an opening ceremony scheduled to take place at the Abuja National Stadium.
Mr Shammah Aliu, a welfare subcommittee member of the Local Organising Committee, LOC said that everything is working well in camp and assured that nothing to worry about, adding that about 40 caterers were hired to cook for the athletes and officials.
He explained further that the caterers were kept at different locations including the second athletes camp located at Soaka, FCT and managed by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
An ambulance from the NSC was also seen stationed in the camp, while states like Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra and Imo came with their ambulances to complement that of the NSC.
A combined team of security personnel including Police, Civil Defence Corps, Road Safety corps and private security guards were seen patrolling the camp.
A Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Bridget Galadimma, disclosed to newsmen that the police would from Sunday, December 8 adopt stop-and-search approach so as to stop unwanted persons from gaining access into the camp.
Newsdiaryonline reports that about 224 technical officials, 24 competition stewards, 115 medical staff and 50 volunteers were engaged by the LOC to take care of the athletes during the games.
Meanwhile, screening of athletes to ascertain their true age and school started on Saturday, while technical meetings will hold on Sunday when the games will be officially declared open.
14 sports including football, boxing, taekwondo, handball, volleyball, badminton, among others, will be competed for at the games.