Team Delta has taken the lead on the medals table at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2024,” overtaking early leaders Cross River State.
Cross River had initially topped the medals chart on the opening day of the games, following an impressive start in the weightlifting events. King Kalu Ufiem secured three gold medals for the state in the men’s 54kg category, winning in the snatch, clean and jerk, and overall lift segments.
However, Delta State, a perennial powerhouse in Nigerian sports, has surged ahead following a series of dominant performances across athletics, gymnastics, swimming, and other core events. As of Monday evening, Team Delta had amassed a higher total medal count, reclaiming its traditional top position.
Delta State has won eight out of the last ten editions of the National Sports Festival and entered the 2024 games as favourites. The team’s depth and quality across multiple disciplines have once again proven decisive in the race for supremacy.
The Gateway Games 2024, hosted in Abeokuta, features over 15,000 athletes from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory competing in 549 events. More than 2,000 medals are expected to be awarded before the festival concludes on May 25.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Edo States continue to trail closely behind, with strong showings in wrestling, judo, and team sports.
Organisers say the updated medals table will continue to be published daily to reflect ongoing developments, as competition intensifies across all centres.
The 2024 edition marks the first time Ogun State is hosting the National Sports Festival in nearly two decades. The government has invested significantly in upgrading facilities and logistics, which athletes and officials have commended as largely successful.
The festival is expected to climax with closing ceremonies on Saturday, May 25, where the official final medals standings will be confirmed.
