Ahead of the 2023 National Youth Games organize in Asaba Delta State, south south Nigeria, the Cross River State Governmment has sent 150 athletes to participate in eight different games Including football, cycling and cricket.
Agnes Atsu, Cross River State Commissioner for sports while speaking to newsmen ahead of the departure of Athletes, sports officials and stakeholders in Calabar, said the 150 athletes departing the State which makes up six teams have been camped and trained for over a period of one month.
The Commissioner who believes that they do not have any reason to return from Delta state without the expected glory expressed optimism that they know that for them to return with Laurel they have to do what they are expected to do.
“The Governor is expecting us to return with Laurels, So I charged them to live up to expectations to be determined to know that we are not going to lose,” she said.
“They should go with a determination to win and be of high spirits knowing that they have a governor that is interested in their affairs.”
She continued, “The Governor as we’re on the way traveling, he and his wife are on their knees praying for them to come back without any crash.”
Mrs Atsu who said that she had spoken to the drivers of the vehicles that the lives of these young ones have been entrusted into their hands cautioned them that they have to drop any form of recklessness.
“We have the police traveling with them to make sure their security is guaranteed on the road,” the sports Commissioner said, “so we are ready for the game.”
She rhetorically asked Why will they not win, when at the national they have the minister of sports development come from Cross River State.
“So I have people that I have to return and report to that is why I am not joking about it, we are going to come back with glory,” she assured.
She also promised that when they come back she will invite the entire state to come to U.J Esuene Sports Stadium for the celebration.
While passionately thanking the parents of the children for releasing them, Mrs Atsu noted it was not easy to release their children, because some of them are underage while some of them are less than 15 years old.
“And their parents release them to us is because they have trust in the governor of Cross River State and the management of the ministry,” she explained.
“I am assuring them that their children are in good hands. I have sent an advance team earlier before today to prepare for their accomodations and feedings.”
According to her, the ministry is adequately prepared because she said she had personally took them to church to pray for them.
On their part, the athletes said they are expecting to come back with gold medals in different fields of the games saying that they believe they surely must come back with them, as they have been trained for two months.