By Sedara Oluwadara
Ministry for Youths and Sports Development, has released kick off dates for this year’s National Youth Games and Principals Cup.
The 7th National Youth Games will hold from 13th to 21st December, 2022 at the University of Ilorin while Principals Cup hold from 7th to 20th November, 2022.
This is contained in a letter signed by the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare to the Kaduna State Governor His Excellency Nasir Ahmed el-Rufal, which reads.
“I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that the 7th National Youth Games has been schedule to hold from 13-21 December, 2022 at the Sports Complex of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State”As you are aware, the National Youth Games is part of the Ministry’s strategic plan to reposition sports development at the grassroots level.
It is open to Nigerian Youth athletes aged 15 years and below and seeks to balance sports, culture and education in our country, Nigeria.”
The importance of the National Youth Games (NYG) cannot be overemphasized, as it is designed to engage meaningfully our youth, create career pathway in sports for them as well as have a robust pool of young athletes that will represent the country at international competitions.
It is pertinent to inform you that the National Youth Games (NYG) hasbecome a brand to reckon with as the products of the NYG have contributedlargely for most of the successes the nation has been witnessing in recent times at the global sporting arena.”
In view of the above, I wish to formally invite your state to participate in the 7th National Youth Games slated to hold at the University of Ilorin from 13-21 December, 2022The Minister also state categorically the commencement and closing dates of Second Principals Cup.
“You will recall that the 2021 Edition of the Championship (Principals Cup) was successfully organised by the Ministry with the finals in Abuja.
This year’s edition shall build on the successes of the last edition and it is tagged “Operation Catch them, Young”.
The 2022 Edition of Championships shall feature only male Football team.
This is to rebalance the Championships on a sound footing before additional sports/events may be reconsidered for future editions.
As contained in the Competition Structure for the Championships.each state is expected to organise competition amongst its Secondary Schools (Private and Public).
At the end of the competition, the Winner and runner-up School Teams shall emerge to represent the State and the FCT at the Zonal Finals.
From the Zonal Finals, two (2) School Teams will emerge to represent a zone at the National Finals in Abuja.The periods of the Championship Competition are as indicatedbelow:
State Finals, Zonal Final:National Finals:7-9 November 202211-14 November 202216-20 November 2022 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Accordingly, as a major stakeholder and partner in grassroots sportsdevelopment in the country,
I am pleased to inform you of thisdevelopment and to seek your cooperation, collaboration andparticipation in the various activities lined up for the Championships.
You are kindly requested to provide your State Team with necessarylogistics support to ensure their effective participation at the State and Zonal Finals.
While looking forward to receiving you and your State teams at the Zonal and National Finals.
