Host Edo dethrones Bayelsa to win Niger Delta Games

Team Edo has emerged the winner of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, which ended at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Thursday.

Before the final four relay races on the final day, the host state had already been assured of first place, having secured 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals.

Delta State finished second with 39 gold, 29 silver and 35 bronze.

Defending champions, Bayelsa, finished third with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals.

Akwa Ibom, Abia, Cross River, Ondo, Rivers, and Imo State finished 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th, respectively.

Team Delta dominated the relays, winning three out of the four events.

The Games, sponsored by Niger Delta Development Commission and organised by Dunamis Icon Limited, were not all about sports.

At a Cultural Expo Night headline by Okey Bakkassi, Ondo State won the dancing competition for a prize money of N1m which was doubled by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, who was present at the event.

Chairman of the Edo State Sports Council, Amadin Enabulele, commended his team for the win and praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for backing the team.

He said, “This is a good feat for our team, and I must commend the athletes for finishing tops. This is a good moment for the state, and I must also ascribe this feat to Governor Monday Okpebholo for the support he gave to the team.”