Delta State Government on Tuesday in Asaba signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the federal government to host the National Youth Games (NYG) for the next four years.

Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, signed for the federal government, while Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta signed for the state government during a ceremony at the Government House.

In his remarks, Mr Okowa thanked the minister for his contributions to sports development in the country and for building the youths through sports.

He added that his administration had a warm relationship with the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and commended Dare for the turnaround sports development had recorded under him.

“We must learn to build together as a nation, and that is the best way to develop this country of ours,” the governor said.

Mr Okowa also assured that the state government would continue to partner with the sports ministry to discover and grow more talents nationwide.

He recalled that in 2018, the state government opened the Asaba Township Stadium with a national event in which several countries participated.

“Sports is a good way to develop the minds of our youths, and it helps us to relate with each other across the nation, and as we do so, we are helping to build bonds of unity across Nigeria,” the governor said.

Earlier, the minister had noted that Delta had become the hub for sports development in Nigeria, commending Okowa for his contributions to developing new talents across the state and country.

“Delta has graciously agreed to host the NYG for the next four years. Delta is a talent hub for our sports, and it is a beacon for the development of sports,” he said.

He added, “I am happy that in the next four years, our young talents will find succour in Delta with the signing of this MoU, and I believe that our sports will be great through this.”

(NAN)