Edo Hails Athletes After Winning Niger Delta Games With 52 Gold Medals

Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, has praised athletes, coaches, officials and supporters after Team Edo finished as overall winner at the second edition of the Niger Delta Games in Benin City.

In a message to Edo residents at home and in the diaspora, Enabulele said the state ended a 24-year wait for the title by topping the medals table with 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals, for a total of 111.

He said the achievement reflected months of preparation and discipline across the team. According to him, the campaign was built on sacrifice, unity and confidence from the athletes and technical crew, who stayed focused through the competition.

Enabulele also dedicated the result to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, saying the administration gave clear direction and support before and during the event. He said the government set a target not only to host successfully but to win, then backed that goal with welfare support, planning and investment in facilities.

He said the return to the top after more than two decades was the outcome of deliberate leadership and collective commitment from stakeholders in Edo sports. He added that the medal haul had renewed hope for many young people who now see sports as a practical path for growth and opportunity.

Addressing competitors directly, Enabulele said the athletes represented Edo with courage and determination, and carried public expectations with maturity. He also commended coaches, technical staff and other support workers for their role in match preparation, tactical execution and daily motivation throughout the Games.

The competition brought together more than 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states across 17 sports. Enabulele said the festival served as more than a race for medals, describing it as a platform for regional unity, youth engagement and peaceful competition.

He further acknowledged the Niger Delta Development Commission for sponsoring the event, saying institutional backing remains important for sustained development of grassroots and elite sports in the region.

At the end of the medal race, Delta placed second while Bayelsa came third, with final standings decided on the last day. Enabulele said the close contest showed the depth of talent across the Niger Delta, while Edo’s finish confirmed the state’s renewed strength in organised competition.

Looking ahead, he said the state would treat the title as a starting point rather than an endpoint. He said officials would continue to build systems aimed at keeping Edo competitive at both regional and national levels, with stronger pathways for athlete development and long-term performance.

Enabulele said the result had restored confidence in Edo’s sporting structure and signalled a new phase for the state. He maintained that the objective now is consistency, so the momentum from the Niger Delta Games translates into lasting success in future championships.

He said Edo’s leadership support created an environment where athletes could prepare adequately and compete with confidence at home. Enabulele also said the result should encourage broader participation in sport across communities, with the state using the momentum from this festival to deepen training structures and improve continuity between grassroots competition and elite performance.