Team Edo end 25-year wait to clinch Niger Delta Games title
Team Edo were crowned overall champions of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games on Thursday, ending a 24-year wait for a major multi-sport title and marking a historic moment for sports in the state.
It was Edo State’s first major tournament triumph since the 2002 National Sports Festival, which it hosted, and the Heartbeat Team delivered the moment in emphatic fashion on home soil.
Edo finished top of the medal table with an impressive haul of 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals 111 in total surging past traditional powerhouses Delta and defending champions Bayelsa after a fiercely contested week of competition.
The hosts showcased depth and dominance across several sports, with standout performances in weightlifting, athletics, boxing, and swimming. Their consistency pushed the title race to the final day before Edo pulled clear to seal a memorable victory.
Delta State mounted a strong challenge but settled for second place with 39 gold, 29 silver, and 34 bronze medals, while Bayelsa finished third after claiming 25 gold, 24 silver, and 26 bronze medals.
Akwa Ibom placed fourth on the standings, followed by Abia, as Cross River, Ondo, Rivers, and Imo completed the medal table in what proved to be a highly competitive regional sports festival.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele described the triumph as the result of meticulous preparation, improved athlete welfare, and an unwavering belief in winning at home.
He praised the athletes for their courage, unity, fighting spirit and winning mentality, dedicating the historic victory to Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for providing the support and resources that made success possible.
The week-long Games featured over 3,000 athletes from nine states competing for honours in 17 sports.
Enabulele also commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the organisers, Dunamis Icon Ltd, for their roles in bringing the Games to Edo State.
“Edo is back on track. This is just the beginning of a new dawn,” he said. “Our grassroots and talent discovery programmes are working, and in a few years, the dividends will be even more evident. We are focused, determined, and committed to changing the narrative. We didn’t just win we set a new standard for excellence.”
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