By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Anambra State contingent to the 8th National Youth Games have departed Awka for Asaba, Delta State with a contingent of 173 team members.
The team comprising 124 athletes and 49 officials, would participate in 20 sporting events including Athletics, para-athletics, Gymnastics, Scrabble, Chess, Table Tennis, Swimming, Judo, Ncho/Ayo, Teackeando, Karate, Weightlifting, Karate, Kungfu, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket, Wrestling, Boxing and Badminton.
The State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who addressed the team through a representative, Mr Nonso Anozie, encouraged them to be worthy ambassadors of the state as his government was willing to reward the best handsomely.
On his part, the Chairman, Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Mr Patrick-Estate Onyedum, said the team was made up of talented athletes under the age of 15 in line with the policy of development strategy of the state.
According to Onyedum, the Team was optimistic of that they would do well at the games which holds between September 9 and 19 with an opening ceremony on September 11.
It would be recalled that Anambra State won seven gold, six silver and two bronze medals at the 2023 edition of the National Youth Games held at the same Asaba.