Team Edo has officially been crowned overall champion of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, delivering a historic performance on home soil in Benin City and ending a 24-year wait for regional supremacy.
In a fiercely contested medal race that stretched to the final day, the host state surged ahead of Delta and Bayelsa, finishing at the top of the table with an outstanding haul of 52 gold, 34 silver, and 25 bronze medals, totaling 111 in all.
The victory marks a major milestone for Edo, dethroning defending champions Bayelsa and reaffirming the state’s status as a dominant force in Nigerian sports, reports Daily Independent.
Delta State secured second place with 39 gold, 29 silver, and 34 bronze medals (102 total), while Bayelsa settled for third with 25 gold, 24 silver, and 26 bronze medals.
Akwa Ibom finished fourth with 16 gold medals among its 55 total medals, followed by Abia in fifth with 45 medals. Cross River placed sixth with 38 medals, Ondo seventh with 34, Rivers eighth with 44 medals but fewer gold, and Imo rounded off the table in ninth position with 31 medals.
Reacting to the landmark achievement, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko on Thursday, described the victory as a defining moment in the state’s sporting history and dedicated the triumph to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. 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 emphasised 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 gold medals and statewide pride”, he added.
The Sports Commission Chairman also commended the athletes, coaches, technical crew, and support staff 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.”
Enabulele further noted that the Games served as more than a competition, describing it as a platform for regional unity and youth engagement.
“The Niger Delta Games have once again proven that sports remain a powerful tool for unity, peace, and development. As a state, we will not rest on this achievement. We are committed to building sustainable structures that will ensure continuous dominance at regional and national levels.”
The second edition of the Niger Delta Games brought together over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states competing in 17 sporting events.
The festival was sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and widely celebrated for its organisation and competitive intensity.
With this historic victory, Team Edo has not only reclaimed glory but also set a new benchmark for excellence in regional sports competition.
