Group Bayelsa has emerged general champions of the first-ever Niger Delta Sports activities Competition, ending prime of the medals desk with a formidable haul of 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze medals — a complete of 86 medals.
Bayelsa athletes showcased distinctive expertise and willpower all through the week-long competition, which introduced collectively over 3,000 athletes from the 9 Niger Delta states to compete throughout 17 sporting disciplines.
Delta State completed an in depth second with 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals, whereas Edo State took third place with 23 gold, 63 silver, and 31 bronze medals.
Rivers State positioned fourth with 63 medals, together with 21 gold. Ondo State adopted in fifth with 43 medals. Hosts Akwa Ibom got here sixth with 37 medals, whereas Abia and Imo States secured seventh and eighth spots with 32 and 42 medals respectively. Regardless of having extra complete medals, Imo positioned decrease because of fewer golds. Cross River State rounded off the desk in ninth place with 31 medals.
Talking on the closing ceremony held on the Uyo Township Stadium on Tuesday, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Chairman of Uyo Native Authorities Council, Dr Uwemediimo Udo, congratulated all individuals and organisers on a profitable competition.
Governor Eno emphasised that the occasion was greater than only a competitors however a platform to construct friendships, share concepts, and uncover future sports activities stars.
“No person is a loser on this competitors,” he mentioned. “Past discovering expertise, we should deal with nurturing these younger athletes to allow them to obtain their full potential.”
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Growth Fee (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, highlighted that the competition was in keeping with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and a part of the Fee’s stakeholders’ engagement technique.
“This competition has promoted peace and unity within the Niger Delta area,” Ogbuku mentioned. “It has additionally given athletes an opportunity to precise themselves and be found by scouts for higher alternatives.”
The maiden version of the NDDC Sports activities Competition not solely celebrated athletic excellence but additionally strengthened regional ties and offered a platform for future sports activities improvement throughout the Niger Delta.
