Host, Team Delta, in pole position to win 8th NYG

Posted : 19 September 2024

Team Delta is in pole position to emerge as the champions of the 8th National Youth Games for the fourth consecutive time, having extended its lead on the medals table.

With 42 gold, 14 silver, and 19 bronze medals, athletes and officials from Team Delta were in a celebratory mood at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. Meanwhile, Team Lagos has overtaken Edo in the battle for the second spot.

Team Edo had held the second position since Day 2 of the competition but dropped to third on Tuesday evening following Team Lagos's outstanding performances in boxing.

As of Wednesday evening, Team Lagos has accumulated 16 gold, 12 silver, and 16 bronze medals, while Edo has 15 gold, 7 silver, and 17 bronze.

Last year, Delta topped the medals table with 51 gold, 34 silver, and 11 bronze medals when it hosted the 7th edition of the Games. Team Lagos was in second place with 21 gold, 19 silver, and 21 bronze, while Edo finished third with 21 gold, 15 silver, and 17 bronze.

Bayelsa State, which finished fourth last year with 20 gold, 7 silver, and 16 bronze, was in fifth place on Wednesday, behind Team Kwara.

As of Wednesday, Kwara had 10 gold, 7 silver, and 8 bronze, while Team Bayelsa had 9 gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze.

The standings might change on Thursday night as Bayelsa is expected to perform strongly in the wrestling events, which began on Wednesday afternoon.

The Director General of the Delta Sports Commission, Festus Ohwojero, stated that Team Delta would win more gold medals before the closing ceremony.

The state is targeting medals in the athletics events on the final day.

“We topped the medals table with 51 gold last year. Now, we have 42 gold, which indicates that the Games are more competitive this year.

“As of now, 32 states have won medals, compared to about 27 states last year.

“Apart from Rivers State, all other states and the FCT attended this year’s Games,” Ohwojero said.

Delta has won all editions of the National Youth Games from 2016 to date.

Team Delta also won gold in the para-athletics boys' T46/47 event through Toheeb Olawale. Akwa Ibom took silver, while Bauchi settled for bronze.

In female handball, Delta won gold, Sokoto took silver, and Edo won bronze.

Team Kaduna put up a brilliant performance, securing two gold and one silver medal on Wednesday. Kaduna achieved this in Beach Volleyball Girls (Gold), Cricket Boys (Gold), and Beach Volleyball Boys (Silver).

The boys' football final will be between Delta and Abia State, as Edo failed to show up for their semifinal match with Delta at St. Patrick College, Asaba.

Team Edo reportedly protested the decision of the screening committee to reinstate four Delta players into the Games.

Host, Team Delta, in pole position to win 8th NYG

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