NYSC Games: FG wants football clubs, federations to scout for raw talents

By Albert Akota

The Federal Government has called on sport clubs, federations and corporate organisations to look into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme whenever they are hurting for talents.
Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and sport made the call on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 2019 annual NYSC sports and cultural festival tagged: ‘’Harnessing youth’s potentials for sports and cultural development.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dare stated that the current edition of the NYSC sports festival was an impressive one as it has really show that there are much talented people present within the corps.
“The festival was indeed something to write about, we are impressed with the display of skills by Corp members, the NYSC sports will contribute to the overall development of nation if properly harnessed.
“Again, this event has further showcase the relevance of NYSC scheme in the promotion of unity, culture and many more based on the large crowd of people gathered here.
“The spirit of sportsmanship is really commendable among the corps members, I called on corporates Nigerians to make use of the unique opportunity in drawing talents to themselves,” he said.
The Minister also said that FG shall continue to make available entrepreneurship programme that will engage the youth in order to make themselves relevant in the society.
NYSC Director-General, Mr Shuaibu Ibrahim while commending the Corp members for the great feet stated that the coordination and discipline exemplified by the members throughout the fiesta has further raised hope for leadership potential for the country.
‘I am proud to report that in the course of this competitions, these young men and women showed great passion not only for the purpose of winning laurels, but even more significantly, as a demonstration of their belief in our vision of a more United and prosperous Nigeria.
“I thank you for your patriotism and enjoin you to continue to be source of pride to the nation as you return to your various states of service,” he encourage.
NYSC Director of Community Service, Alhaji Abdulrazak Salawu also said that there was no injuries nor casualties recorded throughout the event.
The highlights of the festival were the field and track event which saw some corps members winning Jessey, medals and trophy for themselves and the state where they are serving.
On the football event, Corp members serving in Enugu state were able to beat their Kano counterparts with alone goal (1-0) to clinch the first position of the tournament, while Kano and Ogun became the second and third position respectively.
On the track event both on 100 and 200 metres, a Corp members serving in Ogun, Laoye Zion became first, while Isaac Chioma and Owolabi Igbagbo became second and third from Delta and Ondo in 100 metres for men.
On the 100 metre for women, Raimot Omotosho serving in Ogun came first position while Promise Eka, Delta and Ikaegbu Esther, Plateau came second and third in this category.
On the 200 metres for men, a Corp member serving in Delta, Plateau and Ekiti came first, second and third position while on the women side, Corp members from Ogun, Niger and Akwa Ibom came first, second and third.
On the Volleyball event, FCT went home with the trophy after they came first while each participated members from Akwa Ibom and Oyo went home with medal and new Jessey following their second and third position in the event.