Team Delta have pulled clear at the top of the medals table at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) Ogun State, reinforcing their dominance in Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event.
The defending champions sit comfortably in first place with a total of 122 medals, comprising 52 gold, 23 silver, and 47 bronze.
Close on their heels, Bayelsa State occupy second position with 88 medals (37 gold, 26 silver, and 27 bronze), while hosts Ogun State have climbed to third place with 78 medals, including 30 gold, 19 silver, and 29 bronze.
Medals table. Photo Credit: NSC
Team Rivers, who were previously in the top three, have dropped to fourth place with a medal haul of 77 medals (28 gold, 22 silver, 27 bronze).
Edo State surged into fifth place on the back of a strong showing in gymnastics and boxing, collecting 130 medals, including 23 gold, 54 silver, and 53 bronze.
Medals table. Photo Credit: NSC
As competition intensifies across various venues in Ogun, all states will resume their medal hunt on Monday, with events scheduled throughout the day.
Medals table. Photo Credit: NSC
In the football competition, Team Ogun have reached the final of the men’s tournament, where they will face Team Kwara at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Kwara booked their place in the final with a 1-0 victory over Kaduna, courtesy of a goal from Muhammed Abdullahi, who struck two minutes after the hour mark in a tense semi-final.
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Meanwhile, Ogun State earned their spot after a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U-17 national team, who are competing at the Games under the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The semi-final encounter, held at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, showcased Ogun’s resilience as they took a two-goal lead before the Eaglets pulled one back.
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Speaking after the match, Team Ogun coach Akeem Daranijo praised his players’ effort and declared confidence ahead of the final:
“I’m very pleased with the boys. They showed maturity and hunger. We believe we can go all the way and win gold for Ogun State.”
The third-place match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday morning at 9am, also at the Remo Stars Stadium.
