Team Bayelsa is currently top of the medals table at the ongoing 2024 NSF, taking place in Ogun State, as the multi-sports event continues to gather pace in Abeokuta and other venues across the state, www.aclsports.com reports.
According to the information available on the official website as of 8am on Friday, the South-South state have amassed a total of 61 medals so far, consisting of 32 gold, 14 silver, and 15 bronze medals. Bayelsa were one of the biggest winners in the weightlifting event, as they showed their supremacy once again.
Bayelsa are closely followed by Delta State – defending champions of the Festival – who have picked up 31 gold, 11 silver, and 28 bronze medals. With several days to go in the competition, it is expected to be a straight fight between the two oil-producing states. In third place, Rivers State have amassed 15 gold, 11 silver, and 11 bronze medals.
Hosts, Team Ogun, are in fourth place to lead a cast of four states from the South-West region in the top 10. The Gateway State have 10 gold, 12 silver, and 16 bronze medals. Oyo, Lagos, and Osun, with a total of 37 medals, 37 medals, and 12 medals respectively, to complete the top seven.
Surprisingly, Edo State are ranked 8th with a total of 74 medals consisting of 8 gold, 36 silver, and 30 bronze medals. Akwa Ibom and Plateau United are the other two states in the top 10, with a total of 8 and 14 medals, respectively. Cross River State, who took an early lead on the table after day two, have dropped outside the top 10, as they sit 11th on the medals table.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Bayelsa State, Hon. Daniel Igali, has played down the significance of the current medals table standings, stating that Bayelsa’s primary goal is to compete strongly with traditionally dominant states.
“You can’t talk about the medals table by who is leading now,” Igali said. “We only came to give competition to the perennial winners, of which we are doing now.”
“This is a long competition, and consistency is what counts. Our athletes are doing their best, and our aim is not just to chase medals but to make a strong, lasting impression,” he added.
Only Ayo, wrestling, Judo, Dart, Taekwondo, and Kung Fu events have been concluded; the tussle for more medals continues on Friday with events in athletics, para-athletics, football, and other games.
