The 5th edition of National Youth Games (NYG) will feature great improvements from last year’s event Director of Grassroot Sports Development at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Dr Demola Are says.

Athletes from 34 states will compete for honours at the talent nurturing competition which starts today at the University of Ilorin sports complex.

Speaking to newsmen on Monday, Dr Are disclosed that athletes from 30 States have arrived Ilorin with four more States expected to arrive before the opening ceremony and said that the Ministry and the University are working together to ensure better and improved competition.

“What we are trying to do here is to make sure that we improve on the performances of the last edition especially in the areas of screening, facilities, accreditation [and] security.

“We are doing all we can in conjunction with the University of Ilorin to make that we have a more successful game this year,” he said.

The opening ceremony for the 5th edition of the NYG will hold today, Tuesday 10 September with popular Afrobeats Star Small Doctor expected to perform.

The NYG have served as a platform for nurturing and discovering sporting talents since its inception four years ago and this year marks the end of the 5-year MOU signed with the University of Ilorin to host the competition.