National Youth Games: Contingents fault facial screening of athletes

By Ifeanyi Eduzor

The screening method adopted
at the 7th edition of the National Youth Games, currently holding in Asaba, Delta State, has come under heavy criticism by various contingents.
Rev. Martins Osagie Asemota of ‘Team Edo’ faulted the method adopted by the National Screening Committee for the 10-day long youth games noting that it was against the rules of the Games.
Speaking, with journalists, Rev. Asemota expressed displeasure with the facial screening of the athletes, saying that it is against earlier agreement of the usage of National Identification Number (NIN).
He said, prior to the commencement of this year’s games, it was agreed that screening of athletes would be done through their NIN, but he wondered why facial assessment of the athletes was adopted by officials of the National Youths Sports Commission .
He said: “I was there on Friday, the screening exercise was not okay because the agreement and the law said we should use National Identification Number (NIN) to screen all the athletes, but we discovered that the NIN was not used, instead they were screening people facially.
“This is not right because there are some children who are 12 years old but with older facial look.” Rev. Asemota stated.
“There is no way one can rule out partiality in the exercise. I protested against the way the screening was being conducted. Most of our athIetes were screened out. Not only from Edo, but athletes from other States were also screened out. This is not good.” He added.
“We even have some children who came from United Kingdom and America to compete but were screened out initially because of their body sizes, how can you screen out somebody with British and American passports where their ages are clearly stated.
“I have to make case for the athletes with their passports and they were later considered to participate in the games.“ Rev. Martins Osagie Asemota questioned.
“I believe they should improve on the screening exercise because if you want to get the real age for the youth games, athletes should be screened with NIN”. He advised
Meanwhile, Edo State contingent will today (this afternoon) begin their quest for the top position in this year’s games with contests in Table Tennis and weightlifting events.
In the table tennis boys singles event, Edo State 12-year old Aleoba Emmanuel is paired against players from Nasarawa and Ondo states in Group 3 while in the female category, 12-year old Azeta Eromosele from Edo will square up against Promise Okon John and Temitayo Adebayo from Ondo state in Group 6.
In the weightlifting event, Esther Chijioke will be representing the state in 45KG just as little Abdumalik Haruna will be competing in the 49KG.
In a related development, host of the Games, Delta State has won the first gold medal at the ongoing event in Asaba
The medal was won by Ogodo Goodness in the 45kg Weightlifting event, she lifted 44kg to win the first gold at the ongoing Games.