Enugu State’s para-athletes continued their strong showing at the 22nd National Sports Festival – Gateway Games 2024, with a string of impressive silver-medal performances boosting the state’s growing medal tally.
On Saturday, Destiny Agbo added two silver medals to Enugu’s total after a determined showing in the F52 women’s javelin and discus events. Agbo registered a throw of 32.16 metres in the javelin and 29.32 metres in the discus, underlining the state’s depth in para-athletics.
Also on the podium was Goodness Okonkwo, who secured silver in the F57 women’s javelin with a mark of 21.17 metres.
These performances build on Emmanuel Ugonna’s record-breaking gold medal in the F44 discus yesterday, where his 51.35-metre throw set a new competition record. Ugonna also earned silver in the F44 javelin with a distance of 45.48 metres.
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In powerlifting, legendary athlete Lucy Ejike brought her wealth of international experience to bear once again, winning silver for Team Enugu. Ejike, a six-time Paralympian, has previously won medals at every Games from Sydney 2000 to Tokyo 2021, including three golds.
As of Day 6, Enugu State’s tally stands at one gold and six silver medals—a significant improvement on the three bronze medals won at the Asaba 2023 edition.
The team is now aiming to better its Edo 2020 outing, where Enugu claimed three golds, one silver, and three bronzes.
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The state’s ambitions are heightened as it prepares to host the National Sports Festival in 2026, marking the first time the event will be held in the Southeast since its inception in 1973.
