Team Lagos has emerged as the overall winner of the 9th National Youth Games, securing a total of 110 medals—52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze.
Lagos established an unassailable lead going into the final day of competition, despite a late surge from Team Delta, who leapfrogged Team Edo in the closing events.
The sprint relay finals brought the curtain down on the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba in spectacular fashion.
Team Delta showcased their dominance in athletics at the closing ceremony, sweeping all three gold medals in the boys’ and girls’ 4x100m relays, as well as the mixed 4x400m relay.
These results helped Team Delta secure second place overall, overtaking Team Edo. However, it wasn’t enough to dethrone Team Lagos from the top spot.
In his closing remarks, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori called on the National Sports Commission to review the athlete screening process to eliminate the issue of overage participants—an issue the commission has promised to address.
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Governor Oborevwori also took the opportunity to reaffirm Delta State’s commitment and preparedness to host the 10th edition of the Games next year. He addressed speculations suggesting that Lagos might host the next edition, describing such claims as a gross violation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Delta State Government and the former Ministry of Youth and Sports.
As the curtain falls on the 9th National Youth Games, the spotlight now shifts to protecting the integrity of the competition—by tackling age cheating and putting an end to talent poaching to ensure that the true spirit of youth sports is preserved.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
