Delta State to Host 9th National Youth Games for Third Consecutive Year

Posted : 24 June 2025

For the third consecutive year, Asaba, the capital of Delta State, will host the National Youth Games (NYG), Nigeria’s premier grassroots talent discovery event.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that preparations are in full swing for what is expected to be a bigger, better, and more inclusive edition of the Games.

Scheduled to hold from August 26 to September 6, 2025, the 9th edition will once again take place in Asaba, marking a historic third consecutive hosting by the city.

Established in 2013 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the NYG was designed as a long-term solution to Nigeria’s declining pool of elite athletes. It is exclusively open to athletes aged 15 and under, giving thousands of young Nigerians a platform to compete in a multi-sport environment for the first time.

Since its debut at the National Stadium in Abuja, the NYG has grown into a nationwide movement, showcasing young talent across multiple disciplines including athletics, swimming, basketball, taekwondo, wrestling, and more.

Delta State’s hosting of the 9th edition underscores its growing importance in youth sports development, having previously staged the 7th (2023) and 8th (2024) editions successfully. Beyond logistics and hospitality, Delta has also emerged as a sporting powerhouse on the medals table.

At the 2024 Games, Delta State topped the medals table with a total of 98 medals—41 gold, 27 silver, and 30 bronze. Lagos State came in second with 62 medals (25 gold, 19 silver, 18 bronze), while Edo State followed in third with 53 medals (17 gold, 12 silver, 24 bronze).

In contrast, Ebonyi and Zamfara States failed to register a single medal, a stark reminder of the uneven pace of sports development across the country.

Though medals often steal the spotlight, the true value of the National Youth Games lies in its role as a developmental platform. Many athletes discovered at the NYG have progressed to represent Nigeria in national teams and elite junior competitions.

With Delta State aiming to dominate both in hosting and performance once again, the stage is set for another exciting edition of the NYG in 2025.

Delta State to Host 9th National Youth Games for Third Consecutive Year

For the third consecutive year, Asaba, the capital of Delta State, will host the National Youth Games (NYG), Nigeria’s premier grassroots talent discovery event.

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