By Azuka Chiemeka
Team Bayelsa etched their name in history as the overall champions of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, after an outstanding performance across 17 sports during the week-long event sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The sporting fiesta, which brought together athletes from the nine states of the Niger Delta region, showcased thrilling contests, raw talents, and exceptional competitiveness — but it was Team Bayelsa who stole the show with their dominance in medal haul.
At the end of the Games, Team Bayelsa topped the overall medals table with a total of 86 medals — comprising 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze — a performance that proved too strong for their closest rivals.
Delta State, despite a spirited effort and finishing with the highest number of medals overall (99), settled for second place after recording 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals.
Edo State claimed the third position with a combined haul of 89 medals, which included 23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze medals.
Rivers State finished fourth on the log with 21 gold, 16 silver, and 26 bronze medals, making a total of 63 medals.
Ondo State secured the fifth position with 10 gold, 18 silver, and 15 bronze medals to tally 43, while the host state, Akwa Ibom, managed a sixth-place finish with a medal haul of nine gold, 14 silver, and 14 bronze medals totaling 37 medals.
Abia State followed closely in seventh position with nine gold, 10 silver, and 13 bronze medals (32 in total), while Imo State placed eighth with six gold, 12 silver, and 24 bronze medals amounting to 42.
Cross River State, despite its gallant efforts, finished at the bottom of the medals table with five gold, seven silver, and 19 bronze medals, totaling 31.
Bayelsa’s victory in Uyo is expected to further boost sports enthusiasm in the state, as their athletes proved their readiness to dominate the region in future competitions.
The success of the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival has set the tone for what promises to become a flagship event in the region’s sports calendar, with calls already mounting for the next edition to surpass the achievements recorded in Uyo.
