The curtain fell on the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) last night with a colourful and energetic closing ceremony, marking the end of Nigeria’s most prestigious multi-sport competition.
Akwa Ibom State emerged 10th on the final medals table, recording an impressive haul of 12 gold, 11 silver, and 20 bronze, bringing the total to 43 medals. While not among the top five, the state’s consistent performance and medal count were commendable, reflecting the growing investment in grassroots sports development.
Delta State once again dominated the NSF, cementing their status as the powerhouse of Nigerian sports. The oil-rich state topped the table with a staggering 337 medals (126 gold, 100 silver, 111 bronze), extending its historic winning streak to four consecutive festivals.
The top ten states on the final medals table are:
Delta – 126G | 100S | 111B = 337
Ogun – 93G | 65S | 80B = 238
Bayelsa – 92G | 65S | 71B = 228
Rivers – 76G | 58S | 65B = 199
Edo – 73G | 101S | 119B = 293
Oyo – 38G | 37S | 51B = 126
Lagos – 37G | 44S | 88B = 169
FCT – 14G | 8S | 17B = 39
Osun – 13G | 3S | 11B = 27
Akwa Ibom – 12G | 11S | 20B = 43.
In a notable achievement, the host state Ogun placed second, marking their best-ever finish in the festival’s history—an impressive feat that was applauded during the closing event.
Akwa Ibom’s performance was bolstered by the unwavering support of Governor Pastor Umo Eno and the active involvement of a passionate sports Commissioner of Sports, Elder Paul ‘Sports’ Bassey.
Elder Bassey was visibly present with the contingent throughout the festival, attending to athletes’ welfare, offering words of encouragement, and leading prayers before crucial events, all while balancing his official duties.
Their commitment to the development of sports in the state is a strong indication of a brighter future for Akwa Ibom’s youth and a sustained presence in future national sporting events.
Source; Ikechukwu Agbamegbue, FRCN Uyo
