NAN-S-17
Athletes
Abuja, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) Ademola Are, Director of Grassroots Sports Development, Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, says the use of over-age athlete will not be tolerated at the National Youth Games (NYG).
Are told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Friday in Abuja that the only way for sports in Nigeria to grow was for coaches to feature under-age athlete at the Games.
NAN recalls that the second edition of the NYG will hold from Sept. 22 to Sept. 30 at the University of Ilorin Sports Complex.
Are said the Youth and Sports Ministry was ready to sanction any state with over-age athletes at the Games.
He however said using scientific method to determine the age of the athletes would not give adequate result.
“I prefer to appeal to the conscience of coaches and state Directors of Sports who know the ages of these children to present only under-age athletes.
“This will go a long way to help Nigerian sports grow and build athletes who will represent Nigeria in national and international competitions.
“If we say we want to do scientific tests on them, we may not get the accurate age. But we all have children and we know who the under-17 ones are.
“So, I am appealing to the Directors of Sports and coaches that they should do everything possible to present athletes who are under-age.
“The method we will use is to bring all the athletes in each sport together, screen them at the same time and take a photograph of the remaining ones with the official.
“The photograph will serve as their accreditation to allow them participate in the Games.’’
The Ministry of Youths and Sports official appealed to stakeholders to do the right thing for the first time for the future of sports in the country.
He also appealed to the state governments to support the athletes to come for the Games, adding that it was the only way to grow athletes for the future.
While Are called on athlete to train well and avoid doping, he also appealed to coaches to be honest and avoid featuring over-age players.
NAN reports that the Games will feature 2,700 athletes, 400 officials, 11 competitive sports and two demonstration sports.(NAN)
(Edited by Johnson Eyiangho and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)