Defending champions of the National Sports Festival (NSF), Delta State, began the 21st edition of the competition with a victory as they picked up their first Gold medal in the cycling event on home soil in Asaba.
Team Delta Cyclists beat three other states, Oyo, Plateau and Lagos to emerge winner in the 12km mixed relay decided on Igbuzor road on Wednesday.
Edo and Rivers State were disqualified for their inability to present the minimum three female cyclists required for the event. Meanwhile, the official opening ceremony of the festival will hold at the Stephen Keshi Stadium later today, Wednesday.
About 14,000 thousand athletes from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and some invited neighbouring countries are expected to participate in the National Sports Festival