Date: 2016-08-25

The organisers of the 2nd National Youth Games (NYG) said on Wednesday that no fewer than 2000 athletes were expected to participate in the competition.

The competition is scheduled to hold in Ilorin, Kwara, from Sept. 21 to Sept. 30.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Tunde Kazeem, said in a statement in Lagos that the young athletes would compete for honours in 11 events. The events are athletics (100m, 200m, 400m and 4x100m), Badminton (male and female), Chess (male and female), Cricket, Scrabble and Table Tennis.

Others are Judo (male and female), Karate (male and female), Taekwondo (male and female) and wrestling (male and female). Mr Kazeem said that the physically challenged athletes would also compete in para-athletics and para-table tennis.

He said that skating would be given the opportunity to demonstrate at games in Ilorin. Kazeem, who is also Kwara Director of Sports, added that the Games would breed new athletes that would be groomed to stardom.

"The Games will also be used to promote unity among pupils across country," he said. He also regretted the non-inclusion of ball games in the competitions.

"It is unfortunate that there will no ball games, such as football, handball and volleyball among others in these competitions due to lack of fund," The maiden edition of the NYG was held in Abuja in 2013.