By Chimezie Anaso
Ilorin – Joseph Umudu, Director of Sports in Anambra has described the state’s outing at the just concluded 3rd National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin as “not impressive”.
Umudu, who is the leader of Anambra contingent, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Sunday that lots of lessons had been learnt.
NAN reports that Anambra, which was the fifth best in the previous competition, finished 14th in the overall medals table with a total of 13 medals including two gold, seven silver and four bronze.
The state won the medals in Chess, 100 metre girls, triple jump, Weightlifting and cricket.
It lost out in Wushu Kunfu, Volleyball, Wrestling, Short Put, Table Tennis, Scrabble,Boxing, Volleyball, Judo and Teakwando.
Umudu blamed the below the par performance on poor preparations and said the state would go back to the drawing board ahead of future engagements.
“It was a good outing for us but it could have been better because we lost many medals.
“We have learnt our lessons and we have to go back to the drawing board to work on the identified lapses.
“This is a developmental competition but it is unfortunate age cheating and desperation of some officials is influencing it negatively,” he said.
Umudu said there was need for early preparation and pre-competition camping to get the best out of the athletes.
He called for renovation and provision of facilities to enable the athletes train and be more exposed to modern techniques in the various games.
“Judging from the facilities available to us, we have done our best.
“There is need for the government to provide facilities so that our coaches can train the athletes with requisite equipment for better results,” the Director said.I
NAN reports reports that Team Delta, Akwa Ibom and Osun states were first, second and third place winners at the Games.
Delta who are third time winners garnered 21 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze, Akwa Ibom and Osun got 16, 12 gold, 15 ,12 silver and 15, 12 bronze medals respectively.