The 9th edition of the National Youth Games concluded on a historic note, with Team Lagos winning the competition for the first time, ending Team Delta’s eight-year dominance. The announcement was made by Mr. Andrew Odeinyefa Aye, Acting Director of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, during the closing ceremony at Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
Mr. Aye described the event as “unique and special,” highlighting that, for the first time in the games’ history, all participating states and the Federal Capital Territory earned medals. He praised Team Bayelsa for its resilience, noting that the state rallied in the final two days to secure 11 gold medals across disciplines such as Abula Female, athletics, chess/scrabble, judo, and Greco-Roman/free-style wrestling.
Team Bayelsa finished the games with a total of 55 medals – 18 gold, 12 silver, and 25 bronze – maintaining a strong 4th place position, matching its performance from the previous edition.
Mr. Aye also congratulated members of the Bayelsa contingent who received invitations to the Junior Athletes (IJA) camp, a new initiative by the National Sports Commission (NSC), and emphasized that earlier challenges during the zonal elimination in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, did not dampen the team’s spirit.
The games showcased remarkable talent and sportsmanship across the nation, marking a historic chapter in the development of Nigeria’s young athletes.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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