By Amaechi Agbo

As part of preparations for the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) scheduled to commence later this month athletes in Enugu are in the groove mood as the finals of the Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Secondary Schools Games starts today across two centres.

The finals will hold at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Ogui Road, and the Sports Council premises, at Nkpokiti Road, Independence Layout, Enugu

In a Statement by the Director of Information, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dan Onwuegbuna on Thursday, it noted that the competition is designed to help the state discover budding talents who, will blossom to represent the state in national and international championships as well as select athletes to represent the state at the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba next month.

The finals which will feature secondary schools from across the six educational zones in the state, namely, Enugu, Agbani, Awgu, Udi, Nsukka and Udenu, will commence today and end on Sunday, August 10^th. 2025.

The Games which is held in collaboration between the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB), will feature nine sports events including athletics, boxing, Chess, basketball, volleyball, football, Table tennis, tennis and scrabble.

The Commissioner Hon Lloyd Ekweremadu, appreciated the Governor Dr Peter Mbah   for approving the games, adding that his unwavering commitment towards sports development gives the state future prospects.

The 9th National Youth Games (NYG) is scheduled to take place from August 26th to September 6th, 2025, in Asaba, Delta State. It will feature athletes under 15 years of age competing in various sports.

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By Amaechi Agbo

The Enugu State Government has expressed its determination to support the growth of game of chess in the state and charged the new association in the state on talent discovery.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Lloyd Ekweremadu gave the assurance on Monday in his office while inaugurating the Enugu State Chess Association Board.

The Commissioner expressed joy over the quality of membership of the board adding that he has confident in their capacity to develop the game in the state.

“It is my pleasure to have you at this historic event. I am not aware of any Chess Board before now. I am deeply honoured at this time this is happening and I commend you for the initiative

“Listening to the profiles of the members gave me greater confidence that Enugu State Chess will  be in the right path. Even before your inauguration, you have started work which demonstrates your commitment and clear understanding of what needs to be done”.

“Chess has become a popular game in our time, therefore the aim is to catch them young, have young people in schools participate in Chess, playing Chess goes beyond leisure, it’s a career

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman, Enugu State Chess Association, Dr. Johnny Onwumere, thanked   the  Commissioner for giving them the opportunity to help develop  the sport in the state.

He informed him that they  had  already started work with visit to Queens School, Enugu and College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu  and other schools, where they  introduced the game, bought and delivered Chess equipment, taught and advised the students  on how to play the game. He noted that the awareness is critical in order   to promote and popularize the game

He noted that Chess Concave, has the vision to popularize, promote  Chess game, even as they were planning to execute a competition. He pointed out they were running to get as many stakeholders actively involved in developing the game in Enugu.

Dr Onwumere also unveiled he board’s plan in the coming weeks which include establishing Chess clubs in schools, organize competition and get the prepare the athletes for the 2026 National Sports Festival which the state is hosting

In his goodwill message, the Director Coaching Mr Ephraim Ochomma, who appreciated the members for making themselves available to develop sports in the state, urged them to produce players who can win gold medals for the state .

Members of the newly inaugurated Enugu State Chess Association Board, include, Dr. Johnny Onwumere, Chairman; Dr. J.B.C  Emenike, member; Sir Clement Okwor, member; Engr. Martins Okwor, member.

Others are: Arc. China Nwadiogbu, member; Surveyor  Charles Ozokwor, member; Bishop CNC Oyeledu, member; Barrister Buchi Onyia and Gil Eze, Coach.

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As the curtain was drawn in Abeokuta on Thursday following the closing ceremony of the 2024 National Sports Festival, Team Enugu State ended the festival with 16 medals.

The medals comprises one gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze. The feat marked a significant improvement in the team’s participation at the Festival compared to their previous outings.

With 88 athletes, Team Enugu participated in 12 sporting events. However, the para-athletes were the cynosure of eyes as they amassed the medals for the Coal City State

Speaking in an interview, the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Youths and Sports Enugu State, San Onwuguna said the contingent could have won more gold medals but for technical decisions.

He commended the officials and athletes for their commitment and dedication, stressing that the performance is an eneegiszer ahead of the 2026 edition which will be hosted by the state.

“We could have won more gold medals but the technical officials brought up issues that ensured that the first gold medal we won was withdrawn and we were given silver instead. Nonetheless, I want to commend the athletes and officials for their brave performance. This performance is a tonic ahead of next year’s edition which we are hosting.

“I also want to thank our Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports for their massive support which led to the medals we won,” he said.

Delta State retained their number one position on the table as the best sporting state in the country. The “Big Heart” State had a total of 337 medals including 126 gold, 100 silver and 111 bronze.

Host Ogun State came second with 238 medals while Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Oyo, Lagos, FCT, Osun and Akwa Ibom States came 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th respectively.

Zamfara and Kebbi States were ranked 37th and 36th with one bronze and two bronze medals, in that order.

Enugu State will host the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival next year.

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Enugu State Boxing team at the Indoor Hall Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, won the overall best team, in the just concluded South-East Boxing Championship held from Friday 8^th to Sunday 10th December, 2023.

Enugu State, won, 5 gold medals while Abia State team emerged second with 3 gold and 4 silver medals, Ebonyi State came third with 3 gold and 2 silver medals.

Five South-Eastern States comprising, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and lmo States participated in the Championship.

 Enugu State team won gold medals through, Tiger Dan, who beat Daniel Onwuegbu,  of Abia State in the  final of 92 kilogramme fight. While Theophilus Tok, defeated, Aligbe David  of Ebonyi State in 57 kilogramme final fight. Shedrack Ozoemenam won Bernard Chimereze, of Abia State in 71 kilogramme weight fight. In the female category, Joy Enyiora and Ukamaka Nwankwo, where unchallenged in the finals of  55 kilogramme and 57 kilogramme weight categories, respectively.

The Boxing Championship was organised by the South-East Boxing Federation coordinated by Coach Blaise Udeh, of Enugu State, in collaboration with Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports, as part of efforts to expose and keep boxers in the South-East and Enugu State in particular fit for national competitions.

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