The 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, which was meant to celebrate Nigeria’s sporting future, has ended in a storm of controversy, with coaches accusing officials of biased officiating and questionable practices.
What should have been a showcase of fairness and grassroots talent turned sour, as coaches alleged that referees bent rules to favour the host state.
Taraba State Sports Council Director, George Shitta, voiced his anger openly: “The National Youth Games is becoming a different ball game. Outrageous officiating has become an albatross to sports development in Nigeria. If nothing is done, the integrity of this competition will be destroyed.”
Coaches from other states echoed the sentiment, claiming their athletes were “robbed of medals” through deliberate manipulation. The alleged injustice, they said, has demoralised young athletes who spent months in training only to be let down by poor officiating.
Beyond officiating, accusations of overaged athletes also rocked the tournament. Coaches alleged that some states fielded competitors far above the permitted age limit, undermining the spirit of the youth-focused event.
Some athletes, who believed their hard-earned medals were stolen by bias, urged Nigeria’s sports authorities to investigate and punish guilty officials.
“The future of Nigerian sports depends on fair play. Authorities must act now before it is too late,” one athlete said.
Unless reforms come swiftly, many fear that the credibility of the National Youth Games — designed to unearth Nigeria’s next generation of champions — may be fatally compromised.
