After seven days of stiff competition in Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Athletics, Boxing Tennis, Wrestling, Football, Handball, Volleyball, Chess, Swimming and scrabble amongst others at the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, Team Edo made sports history, as it shattered a 24-year jinx with a dominant and record-breaking performance to emerge winners on home soil and dethrone last year’s champions, Team Bayelsa.
In what many sports lovers described as a shock, Edo state put on a series of impressive performances across multiple sports to top the medal table with an astonishing 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals bringing their overall medal haul to 111.
Delta State retained second spot from the inaugural edition with 39 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze medals for a total of 102, while Bayelsa completed the top 3 with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals, bringing their total to 75.
Akwa Ibom placed fourth with a total of 55 medals, comprising of 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze.
Abia finished fifth with 45 medals, comprising 9 gold 20 silver 17 bronze. Cross River placed sixth with 38, comprising of 9 gold 7 silver 22 bronze. Ondo placed seventh with 34 medals, comprising of 7 gold 13 silver 14 bronze.
Rivers finished in eighth place with 6 gold 16 silver and 24 bronze, for a total 46 medals, while Imo completed the table in ninth place with 5 gold, 8 silver and 18 bronze medals, a total of 31.
The week-long event which brought together over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states, was organised by Dunamis Icon Limited and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
It featured 16 sports and served as a platform for discovery, harnessing of talents, healthy competition and regional unity through sports.
Reacting to the historic achievement, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described the victory as a historic moment in the state’s sporting journey and dedicated the success to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
“This victory belongs to His Excellency, our dynamic and sports-loving Governor,” Enabulele declared.
“From the very beginning, he made it clear that Edo would not only host but compete to win. He provided the vision, the resources, and the enabling environment that empowered our athletes to perform at their very best”, he said.
He emphasized that the Governor’s commitment to sports development, improved welfare packages for athletes and coaches, and strategic investments in training and facilities laid the foundation for the historic success.
“Breaking a 24-year jinx is not a coincidence,” Enabulele stated.
“It is the product of intentional leadership, disciplined preparation, and the resilience of our athletes. His Excellency believes strongly in youth empowerment through sports, and today, that belief has translated into a dominant display at the NDG”, he added.
The Sports Commission Chairman also commended the athletes, coaches, technical crew for their discipline, focus, and determination throughout the week-long competition.
“Our athletes competed with courage and unity. They carried the pride of Edo on their shoulders and delivered beyond expectations. I am immensely proud of their sportsmanship and fighting spirit. This triumph is a message to the nation that Edo is back, stronger and better.”
With this historic victory, Team Edo has not only reclaimed glory, but also laid down a marker in regional sports competition.
