A new sports development initiative announced by the government of Edo State has athletics as its prime focus, with more slots provided for track and field, in contrast with allocations given other sporting events, Sports247 reports.
In an apparent move to boost results at the National Youth Games and newly introduced National Intermediate Games, athletics has been listed with a larger chunk of the talent hunt programme tagged ‘Discovering Tomorrow’s Stars.’
Read Also: Navaney Foundation Flaunt Efforts In Taking Youths From Slums To Relevance Through Football
The project, which will be officially unveiled next Wednesday, to coincide with the 2026 Children’s Day celebration in Edo State, is championed by the sports commission’s chairman, Desmond Amadin Enabulele.
Edo State director of sports development, Mrs Sabina Chikere will coordinate the project, alongside technical officials from the various associations under the commission, with 20 selected schools expected to participate in the event.
The project, which aims to identify, promote and nurture young sporting talents across selected schools within Benin City metropolis, will also have 10 athletes of mixed gender representing each academic institution in different sporting events.
A total of 270 athletes are expected to feature across eight sports, including judo, karate, kung fu, wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, kickboxing and athletics, which will produce the highest number of participants with 200 athletes.
At the same time, seven combat sports disciplines of judo, karate, wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, kung fu and kickboxing will each feature 10 athletes; at the end of which all participants will be rewarded with certificates of participation.
A press release noted in part, “This project is part of efforts to encourage youth involvement in sports and grassroots development. To ensure smooth conduct of the programme, 45 technical officials have been drafted for the event, including 10 officials for athletics and five officials each for the seven combat sports.”
