Host, Delta State emerged as the champions of the 8th National Youth Games on Wednesday, securing their lead on the medal table.
They have 42 gold, 14 silver, and 19 bronze medals, the athletes and officials of Team Delta celebrated their success at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
By Tuesday evening, Team Lagos overtook Edo State for second place. Edo had held the second spot since Day 2 but dropped to third. As of Wednesday evening, Team Lagos boasted 16 gold, 12 silver, and 16 bronze medals, while Edo had 15 gold, 7 silver, and 17 bronze.
At last year’s event hosted by Delta State, the home team topped the medal table with 51 gold, 34 silver, and 11 bronze medals. Team Lagos followed with 21 gold, 19 silver, and 21 bronze, while Edo claimed third with 21 gold, 15 silver, and 17 bronze.
This year, Bayelsa State, which placed fourth last year with 20 gold, 7 silver, and 16 bronze medals, was in fifth place behind Team Kwara on Wednesday. Kwara had 10 gold, 7 silver, and 8 bronze medals, while Bayelsa held 9 gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze, with the potential to climb higher as the wrestling events unfolded.
Festus Ohwojero, Director-General of the Delta Sports Commission, expressed confidence that Team Delta would continue to claim more gold medals before the Games’ closing ceremony. He noted that Delta was targeting Thursday’s athletics events for further victories.
“We secured 51 gold medals last year. Now, we have 42 golds, which shows that the competition is even tougher this year,” Ohwojero said. “This year, 32 states have won medals, compared to 27 last year. Apart from Rivers State, all states and the FCT are participating.”
Team Delta has dominated every edition of the National Youth Games since 2016. In events concluded on Wednesday, Delta claimed gold in the para-athletics boys’ T46/47 event, courtesy of Toheeb Olawale. Akwa Ibom took silver, while Bauchi earned bronze.
In female handball, Delta secured gold, with Sokoto taking silver and Edo finishing with bronze. Meanwhile, Team Kaduna impressed by winning two gold and one silver medal in beach volleyball (girls), cricket (boys), and beach volleyball (boys), respectively.
The boys’ football final on Thursday will see Delta face Abia State. Edo, scheduled to face Delta in the semifinals at St. Patrick’s College in Asaba, did not appear, reportedly protesting the reinstatement of four Delta players into the Games by the screening committee.
