Delta Tops Medal Table as 22nd National Sports Festival Concludes in Ogun

Delta State emerged as the overall winner of the 22nd National Sports Festival — Gateway Games Ogun 2024 — after dominating the medal table with an impressive total of 337 medals, comprising 126 gold, 100 silver, and 111 bronze.

The sports festival, held in Ogun State, brought together athletes from across Nigeria in a celebration of sporting excellence, unity, and youth empowerment. Host state Ogun finished second with 238 medals (93 gold, 65 silver, and 80 bronze), while Bayelsa clinched third place with 228 medals, including 92 gold. 

Rivers State and Edo State completed the top five positions with 199 and 193 medals respectively. Other notable performances came from Oyo (126 medals), Lagos (169 medals), and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with a modest tally of 39 medals. 

Among the standout states in the middle of the table were Osun, Akwa Ibom, and Abia, each demonstrating strong efforts in their respective categories. Abia, for instance, garnered a total of 65 medals, including 10 golds. 

At the lower end of the medal table, states like Kebbi and Zamfara had minimal showings, with Zamfara earning just a single bronze medal. 

In total, athletes across 37 states and the Federal Capital Territory collected 2,139 medals, broken down into 632 gold, 625 silver, and 882 bronze.

The event showcased not only the athletic talent in Nigeria but also the power of sports in fostering national unity and youth development. It concluded with calls for greater investment in grassroots sports and continued support for emerging athletes ahead of international competitions.