Team Edo have emerged overall winners of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games after a brilliant performance on home soil in Benin City, ending a 24-year wait for regional glory.
The hosts secured first place after a tight medal contest that lasted until the final day. Edo finished with 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals, making a total of 111 medals. They pulled ahead of strong rivals Delta and Bayelsa to seal a famous victory in front of their supporters.
Delta State finished second with 39 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze medals, recording 102 medals in total. Defending champions Bayelsa placed third with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals.
Akwa Ibom came fourth with 16 gold medals and a total of 55 medals. Abia finished fifth with 45 medals, while Cross River placed sixth with 38. Ondo ended in seventh position with 34 medals. Rivers finished eighth with 44 medals but fewer gold medals, while Imo completed the table in ninth place with 31 medals.
Reacting to the achievement, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described the triumph as a major milestone for sports in the state. He dedicated the success to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
Enabulele said the victory was made possible by strong leadership, careful planning and steady investment in sports development. He noted that improved athlete welfare, quality coaching and better training facilities helped the team to perform at their best.
He added that ending the 24-year wait was the result of hard work, discipline and determination shown by Edo athletes throughout the competition. According to him, the government’s commitment to youth development through sports has now produced clear results.
The chairman also praised the athletes, coaches and officials for their unity and professionalism during the week-long event, saying their performance shows that Edo has returned to the top level of regional sports.
More than 3,000 athletes from nine states took part in 17 sports at the Games, which were sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission. The competition received praise for its good organisation and high level of performance.
With this victory, Team Edo have not only reclaimed regional pride but also set a new standard for excellence in Niger Delta sports.
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