Bayelsa Crowned Champions of Maiden NDDC Sports Festival
Team Bayelsa has emerged overall champions of the first-ever Niger Delta Sports Festival, finishing top of the medals table with an impressive haul of 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze medals — a total of 86 medals.
Bayelsa athletes showcased exceptional talent and determination throughout the week-long festival, which brought together over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states to compete across 17 sporting disciplines.
Delta State finished a close second with 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals, while Edo State took third place with 23 gold, 63 silver, and 31 bronze medals.
Rivers State placed fourth with 63 medals, including 21 gold. Ondo State followed in fifth with 43 medals. Hosts Akwa Ibom came sixth with 37 medals, while Abia and Imo States secured seventh and eighth spots with 32 and 42 medals respectively. Despite having more total medals, Imo placed lower due to fewer golds. Cross River State rounded off the table in ninth place with 31 medals.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Uyo Township Stadium on Tuesday, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Dr Uwemediimo Udo, congratulated all participants and organisers on a successful festival.
Governor Eno emphasised that the event was more than just a competition but a platform to build friendships, share ideas, and discover future sports stars.
“Nobody is a loser in this competition,” he said. “Beyond discovering talent, we must focus on nurturing these young athletes so they can achieve their full potential.”
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, highlighted that the festival was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and part of the Commission’s stakeholders’ engagement strategy.
“This festival has promoted peace and unity in the Niger Delta region,” Ogbuku said. “It has also given athletes a chance to express themselves and be discovered by scouts for greater opportunities.”
The maiden edition of the NDDC Sports Festival not only celebrated athletic excellence but also strengthened regional ties and provided a platform for future sports development across the Niger Delta.
