Delta celebrates Ofili, others as 2023 National Youth Games begin

Nigeria’s Favour Ofili competes to take first place during the women’s 200m . (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

After putting up a decent performance in the women’s 200m semifinal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last month, U.S.-based Nigeria’s sprinter, Favour Ofili, sat at a corner of the stadium complex to reflect of her event.

Though, she ran a good race, 22.86s, but the effort could only place Ofili in sixth position in Heat 3. With her eyes fixed on the scoreboard for replay of the race, the ever-smiling Ofili realised her journey in the 200m event in Budapest was over.

She turned to The Guardian and said: “I gave it my very best, but it was not good enough. I have learnt some lessons here, and I will have to train harder for future challenges.”

She spoke on her journey so far in athletics, including her youth days. “Since 2013, when I broke into the limelight at the National Youth Games, it has been one success to another, and I thank God for giving me the strength. I will continue to put in more efforts to realise my ultimate goal in athletics.”

The seventh edition of the National Youth Games, tagged Asaba 2023, will begin today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, with all 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory participating.

For former Nigeria sprinter, jumper and hurdler, Coach Seigha Porbeni, this year’s NYG will help the various states discover more Ofilis in athletics and other sporting events.

“The sole aim of the NYG is to discover talents for the country, and it has helped in that regard because all past editions of the Games had produced athletes, who are flying Nigeria’s flag at the national level today. Other athletes like Ese Brume and Grace Idamadudu also used the NYG as the