Team Edo wins the Niger Delta Games
The second edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, tagged Edo 2026, has a winner: Edo, the host state.
Team Edo transformed home advantage into outright dominance, surging to the top of the medal table in a vivid display of depth, preparation, and competitive hunger.
Under the stewardship of Amadin Desmond Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, the hosts have delivered a performance defined by structure, investment, and execution.
The results are emphatic: 33 gold, 16 silver, and 17 bronze medals as of Day Six, 66 in total, placing Edo firmly ahead of Delta State and Bayelsa in the overall standings.
From the early heats to the final whistles, Edo athletes have dictated the tempo across multiple disciplines, igniting packed venues across Benin City and reinforcing the state’s growing reputation as a regional sporting powerhouse.
Perhaps the most symbolic triumph came in the pool, where Edo shattered a 24-year medal drought with a cascade of podium finishes.
Peremobere Joy set the tone, clinching gold in the Women’s 200m Individual event. Lucky Ayeni followed with gold in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke, while Akintola Akintokun Albert powered to victory in the Men’s 100m Butterfly.
Silver medals flowed through the lanes as well: Funmilayo Demehin (Women’s 100m Butterfly), Mien-Ebi Kemedere Mokuomor (Men’s 200m Freestyle), Tissa Precious (Men’s 100m Freestyle), and Nkonye Zitaven Chukunedum (Women’s 50m Backstroke) all delivered strong finishes to consolidate Edo’s resurgence in aquatic sports.
Athletics added critical points to the tally. Chinedu Ikechukwu Godswill soared to silver in the Long Jump, while Edo’s Mixed 4x100m Relay Team secured another silver, underscoring the state’s competitiveness on the track.
On the wrestling mats, Edo asserted near-total control. Peace Paul Diweni (49kg Female), Faith Esosuapko (57kg Female), and Esewi Ayo (53kg Female) each captured gold in commanding fashion. Wisdom Udoh Akpan added bronze in the 55kg Male category, completing a formidable showing.
Weightlifting proved equally lucrative. Goodnews Jacob dominated the 65kg Male division with three gold medals. Odion Edegbe claimed three silvers in the 71kg category, while Olajumoke Abiola Islamait secured one gold and two silvers in the 63kg Female class, a haul that highlighted both technical precision and raw power.
In boxing, Edo’s fighters controlled the ring. Desmond Emeka Lazarus (60kg Men) and Emmanuel Chukwuka (75kg Men) each struck gold. Bartholomew Gifted earned silver in the 70kg Men’s division, and Okolo Favour added bronze in the 60kg Women’s event.
Racquet sports delivered more gold for the hosts. Bright Joel Udo triumphed in a gripping Men’s Singles Final, defeating Bright Bassey of Akwa Ibom, while Bayelsa’s Anointing Moses settled for bronze.
On the volleyball court, Edo’s male and female teams swept past Ondo and Abia, respectively, with decisive 3–0 victories to book places in their finals, positioning the state for further gold medal additions.
As competition intensifies, Edo leads the standings with 33 gold, 16 silver, and 17 bronze medals. Delta State trails with 21 gold, 25 silver, and 25 bronze (71 total medals), while Bayelsa sits third with 19 gold, 11 silver, and 15 bronze.
