…Enabulele dedicates historic triumph to Gov. Okpebholo
By Edward Oseghe
Team Edo on Thursday emerged overall champions of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, delivering a commanding performance on home soil at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, to end a 24-year wait for regional supremacy.
In a fiercely contested medal race that went down to the final day, the host state surged ahead of close rivals Delta and Bayelsa, finishing top of the table with an impressive haul of 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals — 111 in total.
The triumph represents a significant milestone for Edo, which dethroned defending champions Bayelsa and reaffirmed its status as a major force in Nigerian sports.
Delta State finished second with 39 gold, 29 silver and 34 bronze medals (102 total), while Bayelsa settled for third with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals. Akwa Ibom placed fourth with 16 gold medals among its 55 total medals, followed by Abia in fifth with 45 medals.
Cross River finished sixth with 38 medals, Ondo came seventh with 34, Rivers placed eighth with 44 medals but fewer gold, while Imo rounded off the table in ninth position with 31 medals.
Reacting to the landmark achievement, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, described the victory as a defining moment in the state’s sporting history and dedicated the success to the Executive Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
“This victory belongs to His Excellency, our dynamic and sports-loving Governor.
“From the very beginning, he made it clear that Edo would not only host but compete to win. He provided the vision, the resources and the enabling environment that empowered our athletes to perform at their very best,” Enabulele said.
He stressed that the governor’s commitment to sports development, improved welfare for athletes and coaches, and strategic investment in training and facilities laid the foundation for the historic outing.
“Breaking a 24-year jinx is not a coincidence. It is the product of intentional leadership, disciplined preparation and the resilience of our athletes. His Excellency believes strongly in youth empowerment through sports, and today that belief has translated into gold medals and statewide pride,” he added.
The Sports Commission chairman also praised the athletes, coaches, technical crew and support staff for their discipline and determination throughout the week-long competition.
“Our athletes competed with courage and unity. They carried the pride of Edo on their shoulders and delivered beyond expectations. I am immensely proud of their sportsmanship and fighting spirit. This triumph is a message to the nation that Edo is back — stronger and better,” he stated.
Enabulele further noted that the Games extended beyond competition, describing the event as a platform for regional unity and youth engagement.
“The Niger Delta Games have once again proven that sports remain a powerful tool for unity, peace and development. As a state, we will not rest on this achievement. We are committed to building sustainable structures that will ensure continuous dominance at regional and national levels,” he added.
With the historic victory, Team Edo has not only reclaimed regional glory but also set a new benchmark for excellence in the Niger Delta sports arena.
The second edition of the Niger Delta Games featured over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states competing in 17 sporting events.
Beyond the sporting action, the Games also showcased cultural flair. At the Cultural Expo Night headlined by comedian Okey Bakkassi, Ondo State won the dance competition, earning a ₦1 million prize, which was later doubled by the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, who attended the event.
