Delta Wins 2024 National Sports Festival As Ogun Makes History
Team Delta emerged winners of the 2024 National Sports Festival with a total of 337 medals to win the games for the fifth consecutive time.
The Gateway Games ended on Thursday night with a colourful closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola Sports Complex In Abeokuta.
Delta continued their dominance in the games with another impressive performance to beat hosts Ogun to emerge the overall winners of the 22nd National Sports Festival.
Team Delta earned 126 gold, 100 silver, and 111 bronze for a total of 337 medals.
They have now won the Sports Festival for a record nine times, winning nine of the last 11 editions.
Hosts Ogun State recorded their best ever finish in the history of the games with 93 gold, 65 silver, and 80 bronze to win a total of 238 medals.
Team Bayelsa followed closely in third with 92 gold, 65 silver, and 80 bronze for a total of 228 medals.
Team Rivers finished fourth with 76 gold, 58 silver, and 65 bronze, totalling 199 medals, followed by Team Edo in fifth with 73 gold, 101 silver, and 119 bronze for a total of 293 medals.
Team Lagos ended the games in sixth with 38 gold, 43 silver, and 88 bronze to earn a total of 169 medals. Up next in seventh is Team Oyo with 38 gold, 37 silver, and 51 bronze for a total of 127.
Team FCT finished in eighth with 14 gold, eight silver, and 17 bronze to earn a total of 39 medals.
Team Osun ended in ninth with 13 gold, three silver, and 11 bronze for a total of 27 medals. Next in 10th is Team Akwa Ibom with 12 gold, 11 silver, and 20 bronze, totalling 43 medals.
The Invited Junior Athletes finished in 18th with two gold, nine silver, and 11 bronze to win a total of 22 medals.
The next edition of the National Sports Festival will take place in Enugu State in 2026.
The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborevwori hailed the athletes for making the state proud while dedicating the trophy to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He said: “This victory is for His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, whose unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and sports excellence through the MORE Agenda has brought us this far.
“Even though some medal events are still to be concluded, our commanding lead confirms that Delta is once again number one.
“This is not just about medals; it’s about building lives and inspiring hope. The MORE Agenda has opened doors for our youths to thrive through sports, and this win is proof of what is possible when leadership meets action.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has showered encomiums on Ogun State for hosting a top-notch National Sports Festival.
The President was represented by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the closing ceremony.
He said: “To every athlete who competed, you have been discovered. Your presence here shows the unity and strength of our great nation. Your efforts have helped make this a truly world-class event,” he said.
“On behalf of President Bola Tinubu and the people of this state, I declare the 22nd National Sports Festival officially closed.”
Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun thanked the Federal Government, and the National Sports Commission for choosing the state as the hosts of the game.
He said: “It took a united effort from the entire state to make this festival a memorable one for our country.
“To our athletes – you are all winners. You have shown not only skill but also the true spirit of sports – where honour meets excellence.”
Delta Wins 2024 National Sports Festival As Ogun Makes History is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
