Team Delta on Thursday emerged overall winner of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun, securing 122 gold, 96 silver and 105 bronze medals.
This gave Delta a total of 323 medals, placing them at the top of the final medals table at the conclusion of the festival.
Bayelsa finished second with 92 gold, 62 silver and 70 bronze medals, amounting to 224 overall.
Ogun, the host of the festival, came third after winning 90 gold, 64 silver and 78 bronze medals, totalling 232.
Rivers maintained fourth place with 74 gold, 56 silver and 63 bronze medals, giving them a total of 193.
Edo State finished in fifth position, having won 63 gold, 96 silver and 115 bronze medals, totalling 274 overall.
The final medals table revealed that 2,052 medals were shared among Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
It brings together athletes from across the country to compete, promoting unity, sportsmanship, and excellence nationwide.
See final medals table below:
National Sports Festival, triumph of national unity – Obasanjo
Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that NSF has proved to be more than festival of sports but a display of abundant talents possessed by Nigerians and triumph of national unity.
Obasanjo spoke through a recorded video played during the closing ceremony of the 22nd NSF at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena on Thursday in Abeokuta.
The former President hailed the courage and sportsmanship of all the participants from the 36 states of the federation and FCT.
He stated that the Gateway Games 2024 had further reinforced the fact that in every Nigerian lies the capacity for greatness.
Obasanjo said the participants must therefore let the flame of friendship, bond and national unity Kindled in the state to remain aflame to build a prosperous nation.
”As the curtain draws on the 22nd edition of NSF, the participants must remember that they are all not only sports champions but champions of unity, diligence, resilience and national pride.
“I urge you not to let the flame kindled here in Ogun go dim. Let it burn in our schools, our communities, our institutions and in every young heart determined to contribute to the Nigeria that we must have ,” he said.
Obasanjo commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun for collaborating with other stakeholders to organise a world class sporting festival.
He said that the governor had proudly demonstrated the strength, capacity, and hospitality of the people of Ogun.