National Sports Festival Ends in Style As Edo Emerges Next Host

The 19th edition of the National Sports Festival on Sunday, 16th December, 2018 came to an end at the Abuja National Stadium with Delta State finishing top of the table with an unprecedented 342 medals, relegating the likes of Rivers, Edo and Lagos State to the first, second runners-up and fourth positions respectively. While the table topping Delta raked in 159 gold, 84 silver, 99 bronze medals, Rivers State won 66 gold, 54 silver, 65 bronze to take the their total medal hauls to 185. Second runners-up, Edo, won 47 gold, 49 silver and 51 silver medals, making their medals 138.

Edo State contingent at the National Sports Festival

In his closing remarks, the FCT Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Chunyeaka Oha, admitted that the ministry encountered financial hitches in organising the festival and commending the participants for a job well done. Oha said: “It took us record time of nine months of preparation to organise this despite the financial hitches we encountered. “We encourage the Sports Ministry to ensure the maximum usage of the athletes discovered in this festival. “I want to commend the sportsmanship of the participants and spectators.”

Meanwhile, Edo state has been given the hosting rights for the 2020 National Sports Festival. Solomon Dalung, minister of youth and sports, made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 19th edition of the NSF. Edo will be hosting the festival for the second time after they did so in 2002. In his acceptance speech, governor Godwin Obaseki said Edo will build on the success of the 19th edition hosted by FCT. “I want to assure Nigerians that Edo state have the capacity and capability to host the festival. We have the best governing sporting system in Edo and we shall keep to the objective of the National Sports Festival.”” Obaseki said.