Host Edo dethrones Bayelsa to win Niger Delta Games
Team Edo has emerged winners of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, which ended in Benin on Thursday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Before the final four relay races on the final day, the host state had already been assured of first place. However, as at production time, Edo had 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 gold medals.
Delta State finished second with 39 gold, 29 silver and 35 bronze. Defending champions, Bayelsa finished third 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals.
Also, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Cross River, Ondo, Rivers, Imo State finished 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respectively.
Team Delta dominated the relays winning three out of the four events. The second place team took gold in the 4x100m for men and women as well as the 4x400m women with Akwa Ibom State taking the 4x400m men.
The games, sponsored by Niger Delta Development Commission and organized Dunamis Icon limited, was not all about sports.
At a Cultural Expo Night headline by Okey Bakkassi, Ondo State won the dancing competition for a prize money of N1m which was doubled by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, who was present at the event.
Chairman of the Edo State Sports Council, Amadin Enabulele commended his team for the win and praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for backing the team.
He said, "This is a good feat for our team and I must commend the athletes for finishing tops. This is a good moment for the state and I must also ascribe this feat to Governor Monday Okpebholo for the support he gave to the team.
