*Says adequate preparation is key

The city of Abuja will be  agog with activities from today through December 15 as youths from all over the federation converge on the city for the 1st ever edition of the National Youths Games organized by the National Sports Commission.

The desire to organize the youth games became imperative after the Presidential Retreat on Sports hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan, where the NSC was charged to come up with strategic initiative aimed at the identification and development of young athletes for podium success.

Speaking on the significance of the games, Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi reiterated that the event will present a very good opportunity for the discovery of grassroots talents amongst the youths who will eventually be nurtured to podium success.

He maintained that the victory of the Golden Eaglets at the just concluded FIFA U-17  World Cup in the United Arab Emirates  underscores the indisputable fact that the youths of Nigeria have come a long way in sports and if given the enabling environment will excel in the field of sports.

Over 4,357 young athletes under the ages of 17 years with accompanying officials from the 36 States and the FCT of Nigeria will be competing in 14 sports/events.

The opening ceremony is expected to hold at the package A of the Abuja National Stadium.