By- Alambo Datonye
Hosts, Edo State have topped eight other States to be crowned winners of the 2nd Niger Delta Games.
The weeklong competition featured over three thousand athletes who partook in sixteen sporting events.
The fiesta came to a climax with a colourful closing ceremony at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
Edo State garnered a total of 111 medals made up of 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze to finish the Games as overall champions ahead of Delta State with 102 medals comprising 39 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze and first edition winners, Bayelsa State who came third with 75 medals consisting of 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze.
In a remark at the closing ceremony, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade said the initiative of the organisers of the Niger Delta Games was in sync with the vision of the Administration of President Bola Tinubu in according sports the priority it deserves.
Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku said the Games provides an opportunity for budding talent and athletes to aspire to greatness in sports.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State represented by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa reiterated the Administration’s readiness in taking sports to the grassroots, noting that sports serves as a force of unity for the people.
Chairman, Planning Committee for the Niger Delta Games, Alabo Boma Iyaye urged participants to replicate the spirit of the Festival in their various communities and States.
Highpoint of the closing day of events were the relay races in which Team Delta won three out of four gold medals with Akwa Ibom getting one.
Delta won the girls 4x 100 meters gold in 46.20 seconds ahead of Bayelsa (46.70 seconds), and Edo (46.77 seconds).
Delta also clinched gold in the boys 4 x 100 meters in 40.55 seconds, Bayelsa took silver in 41.12 seconds while bronze went to Rivers in 41.26 seconds.
Team Delta again got gold in the girls 4 x400 meters clocking 3 minutes, 38.68 seconds, beating Akwa Ibom (3 minutes, 39.25 seconds) and Rivers (3 minutes, 50.37 seconds).
Akwa Ibom took gold in girls 4 x 400 meters in 3minutes, 14.87 seconds, beating Delta with 3 Minutes, 15.26 seconds and Bayelsa with 3 Minutes, 15.86 seconds.
The closing ceremony featured fireworks and a display of the rich cultural heritage of Edo State and the Niger Delta people as well as music by popular artistes such as Rhema.
