By: Eche Amos
After partaking in the opening ceremony of the 7th National Youth Games holding in Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday, Team Nasarawa athletes got into action on Sunday, but beginning on a mixed note.
In Judo, George Adams, fought his way through to the last eight before succumbing to the might of his Borno State counterpart, Henry Ossai via technical knockout.
Earlier, he had defeated Musapha Ahmed from Niger State through technical knockout and went on to overcome his Abia State opponent, Augustine Emmanuel in the Boys -40kg Category at the Multi-Purpose Hall Two inside the Late Stephen Keshi Stadium.
In the Judo Girls' -36kg Category, Precious Joseph had the complement of the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Jafaru Ango, as well as Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, alongside three Directors and a handful of members of the Nasarawa State delegation, but lost her first fight to her F.C.T., Abuja's opponent, Precious Michael, through technical decision.
In Chess, Team Nasarawa made light work of Team Niger, winning 4-0 in the first round.
Results for the round two of the promising lads' game versus Team Edo, will be released on Monday(tomorrow), 25th September.
The Coach Blessing Palmer-tutored lads will play three rounds of game on Monday (tomorrow) to determine their medal status' fate.
In Table Tennis, Team Nasarawa could not make progress in the Singles and Doubles' Boys' Categories as the athletes exited the Competition following losses to their Borno, Imo, and Abia States' opponents respectively.
While in Tennis, Ismaila Shuaibu won 4-2;5-3 against his Taraba State counterpart in the Boys' first Singles' Category.
In the Boys' second Singles, Marvelous Bolarenwa defeated his Ekiti State opponent by 5-3;3-3;7-5 straight set.
Team Nasarawa are expected to begin their quest to win medals on Day Three of the Competition when Golf, Hockey, Judo, Scrabble, and Weightlifting Sports commence on Monday, 25th September, 2023.