Anambra missing, as Imo, others qualify to represent Southeast at National Youth Games

By Marvelous Ezenwa

The South-East zonal elimination games for the forthcoming National Youth Games in Asaba have been concluded in Enugu, producing qualifiers across multiple sports while also raising dust over alleged fielding of overaged players.

The week-long event featured the five South-East states Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi competing in various categories including football, basketball, volleyball, cricket, rugby, hockey, baseball, and handball. While several matches were tightly contested, the games were overshadowed by walkovers, protests, and abandoned fixtures.

In Abula, Imo State advanced in both the male and female categories via walkover. Imo also dominated in basketball, edging Anambra 3–2 in the male event, while Enugu secured a narrow 5–4 victory over Imo in the female contest.

Beach volleyball saw Abia State overpower Anambra 2–0 in both male and female games, though the female fixture ended in protest, with Anambra alleging the use of overaged players. In cricket, Imo State qualified for male, while Ebonyi female beating Abia 2–0 on walkover.

Football, the most anticipated category, sparked heated controversy. Enugu defeated Abia 3–0 in the male match, while their female team managed a slim 1–0 win. However, the latter encounter was abandoned midway following disputes over player eligibility.

In handball, Abia beat Enugu 6–3 in the male event, while Imo’s female side cruised to a 3–0 victory over Abia. Abia also progressed in male hockey via walkover, with Imo qualifying in the female division. Indoor volleyball followed a similar pattern, with Enugu and Imo claiming male and female slots, both under disputed circumstances.

Imo recorded further successes in baseball and rugby, qualifying in the male categories by walkover, while Abia picked up the female rugby ticket.

Despite participating in several categories, Anambra failed to secure qualification in any sport. Many of their fixtures ended either in losses or in protests against opponents accused of fielding ineligible players.

The repeated protests and abandoned matches have drawn criticism from stakeholders, who insist on stricter verification measures to preserve the integrity of the National Youth Games. Many argue that the alleged use of overaged players undermines the competition’s core objective—nurturing genuine grassroots talent.

*QUALIFIED TEAMS BY SPORT*

| Sport | Male Qualifier | Female Qualifier |

| ----------------- | -------------- | ---------------- |

| Abula | Imo | Imo |

| Basketball | Imo | Enugu |

| Beach Volleyball | Abia | Abia |

| Cricket | Imo | Ebonyi |

| Football | Enugu | Enugu |

| Handball | Abia | Imo |

| Hockey | Abia | Imo |

| Indoor Volleyball | Enugu | Imo |

| Baseball | Imo | Imo |