Team Delta once again showed their class as they emerged overall champions of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “Gateway Games 2024” which ended colourfully with a befitting closing ceremony at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta the Ogun State capital. I’m
There was no stopping the defending champions Delta as they overtook Bayelsa which got up to an early lead in the two-week sporting contest which attracted over 10,000 athletes and officials from the 36 States of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Invited Junior Athletes (IJA).
Team Delta amassed a massive 337 medals, comprising of 126 gold, 100 silver and 111 bronze, to finish top on the medals table.
Hosts Team Ogun finished second behind Delta after pulling a last minute surprise to upstage Bayelsa with 238 medals consisting 93 gold, 65 silver and 80 bronze medals.
Team Bayelsa which took an early lead on the medals table when the games began, were made to settle for third position, after garnering 228 medals, consisting of 92 gold, 65 silver and 71 bronze, complete the top three.
Music icons Waje, Wande Coal, Wasiu Ayinde K1 De Ultimate were amongst the artists that performed at the specular closing ceremony.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Dapo Abiodun, NSC chairman, Shehu Dikko and the DG, Bukola Olopade were amongst the top dignitaries that graced the closing ceremony.
The 23rd National Sports Festival will be hosted by Enugu State next year. They will be confronted with a tall order to try and surpass what Ogun State offered.
