Team Edo has emerged overall champion of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, delivering a historic performance on home soil in Benin City to end a 24-year wait for regional supremacy.
In a tightly contested medal race that went down to the final day, the host state finished top of the table with 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals — a total of 111 medals — ahead of Delta and Bayelsa states.
Delta placed second with 39 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze medals (102 total), while Bayelsa, the defending champion, finished third with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals. Akwa Ibom came fourth with 16 gold among its 55 total medals, followed by Abia in fifth with 45 medals.
Cross River placed sixth with 38 medals, Ondo seventh with 34, Rivers eighth with 44 medals but fewer gold, and Imo ninth with 31 medals.
Reacting to the achievement, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described the victory as a defining moment in the state’s sporting history.
He dedicated the triumph to Governor Okpebholo and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
“This victory belongs to His Excellency, our dynamic and sports-loving Governor,” Enabulele said through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko.
“From the onset, he made it clear that Edo would not only host but compete to win. He provided the vision, resources and enabling environment that empowered our athletes to perform at their very best.”
He attributed the success to deliberate leadership, improved welfare packages for athletes and coaches, and strategic investments in training and sporting facilities.
“Breaking a 24-year jinx is not a coincidence. It is the product of intentional leadership, disciplined preparation and the resilience of our athletes,” he added.
Enabulele also commended the athletes, coaches, technical crew and support staff for their discipline and determination throughout the week-long competition.
“Our athletes competed with courage and unity. They carried the pride of Edo on their shoulders and delivered beyond expectations. This triumph sends a clear message that Edo is back, stronger and better.”
He further described the Games as a platform for regional unity and youth engagement, stressing that the state would build on the achievement to sustain dominance at regional and national levels.
The second edition of the Games attracted over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states competing in 17 sporting events.
The festival was sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and widely commended for its organisation and competitive intensity.
With the victory, Team Edo has set a new benchmark for excellence in regional sports competition.