Team Delta have once again stamped their dominance on the National Sports Festival, emerging overall champions of the 22nd edition tagged “Gateway Games 2024” which came to a colourful end on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
With 122 gold, 96 silver, and 110 bronze medals, Delta tallied an impressive 328-medal haul to retain their title.
Bayelsa followed in second place with 222 medals, while hosts Ogun State clinched third on the table with 232 medals, boosted by 90 gold finishes.
Over 10,000 athletes and officials took part in the 11-day multi-sport showpiece that brought life and economic buzz to the Ogun State capital and its environs.
From track to taekwondo, from the crowd-pulling football fixtures to the precision of chess, the Games lived up to the pre-tournament hype.
Organisers were widely praised for delivering what many are calling one of the most well-executed editions in the history of the festival.
The facilities, fan turnout, and behind-the-scenes logistics combined to make Ogun a vibrant sporting hub for nearly two weeks.
The Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), a special 38th entry, stunned many by claiming unexpected medals and showcasing Nigeria’s next generation of stars. Several new national records were also set during the competition.
NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dilko credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for their support.
He hailed the event as a beacon of hope for Nigerian youth, while also acknowledging the challenges faced and promising improvements before Enugu hosts the next edition in 2026.
SWAN President Isaiah Kemje Benjamin also commended the organisers and urged Enugu to learn from Ogun’s example and raise the bar next year.
