(DDM) – The 2025 National Youth Games, currently taking place in Asaba, Delta State, has come under scrutiny following reports of inadequate welfare and unsafe conditions faced by participating athletes.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the Dennis Osadebe University, which is hosting the majority of athletes, experienced a power outage caused by unpaid electricity bills.
This left participants in darkness and without access to essential facilities for several hours.
Athletes have raised concerns over the quality of meals provided, describing them as insufficient and sometimes inedible.
Some under-15 competitors reportedly refused the food due to its poor quality, highlighting lapses in basic nutrition provision.
Accommodation shortages also created major challenges, forcing many athletes to sleep on floors in shared rooms.
Safety issues were reported in several hostels, including missing staircase rails and poorly maintained facilities, putting the athletes at risk of injuries.
Despite these challenges, coaches and team officials have urged athletes to remain focused on their sporting events, which are scheduled to continue until September 6, 2025.
Several participants expressed frustration, saying that the current welfare and accommodation conditions do not meet expected standards for a national sporting event.
Parents and sports stakeholders have criticized the state government for failing to provide adequate planning and resources.
Many argued that the lapses could have been avoided with better oversight, timely payment of utility bills, and improved hostel management.
Officials from the Delta State Sports Commission acknowledged the complaints and assured that corrective measures are being implemented to improve power supply, food provision, and safety in hostels.
The commission promised to monitor ongoing conditions closely and ensure athletes can compete under safer and more comfortable circumstances.
Observers say the welfare challenges have cast a shadow over the otherwise prestigious event, which aims to nurture young sporting talents from across Nigeria.
Some have called for an independent investigation into the state government’s handling of logistics and welfare provisions to prevent similar issues in future editions of the Games.
The National Youth Games remain a critical platform for scouting and developing the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
Ensuring proper welfare, accommodation, and safety standards is essential not only for the success of the event but also for maintaining the credibility of Delta State as a host.
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