- Delta Leapfrogs Into Second Place
By Ifeanyi Uwagwu/Ebi Nieketien
Team Lagos have emerged champions of the 9th Edition of the National Youth Games, which drew to a colourful close yesterday at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba.
The results were officially announced by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, who was represented by the Director of Grassroots Development, Chief Amaka Ashiofu.
The Lagos contingent amassed an impressive 110 medals, comprising 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze, to top the medals table. It marked a historic breakthrough for Lagos, who had finished in second place in five of the last six editions, and finally stepped up to claim overall victory.
Lagos’s dominance was most evident in the swimming pool, where they stunned hosts Delta State by winning 19 of the 25 events. Swimming had long been regarded as one of Delta’s strongest suits, but Lagos turned the tide, asserting themselves as a powerhouse in aquatic sports.
Delta, however, staged a late resurgence on the track, excelling in the relay events and other athletics categories to push themselves up the standings. Their athletes’ blistering performances in both the boys’ and girls’ 4x100m relays, as well as the 4x400m mixed relay, helped the hosts secure second place overall with a total of 114 medals, 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze.
Team Edo also impressed, consolidating their status as one of the country’s strongest sporting states by clinching third place with 79 medals, 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze.
At the other end of the table, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Sokoto occupied the bottom three spots, placing 31st, 32nd, and 33rd, respectively.
In total, 802 medals were awarded, comprising 246 gold, 236 silver, and 320 bronze, making this edition the most competitive in the Games’ history.
The National Youth Games once again proved its value as a launchpad for future stars, with many young athletes seizing the moment to break records, gain recognition, and inspire hopes of becoming Nigeria’s next global champions.
Six-Year-Old Prodigy Wins Gold, Silver In Scrabble
A six-year-old Scrabble prodigy, AbdulSalam Yusuf, from Kwara State, stole the show at the just-concluded National Youth Games (NYG), winning gold and silver medals in a stunning display of talent and composure.
Competing against older and more experienced players, AbdulSalam clinched gold in the team event and silver in the doubles category, a feat that drew admiration from coaches, officials, and spectators.
His remarkable achievement has been hailed as a major milestone for youth Scrabble in Nigeria.
Speaking after his win, the primary two pupil credited his success to “divine intervention and hard work.”
Scrabble coaches at the event expressed confidence in his potential, saying that with the right support and mentorship, AbdulSalam could represent Nigeria at future national and international tournaments.
He commended the Kwara State Sports Council and the state government for facilitating his participation, but urged authorities to go further by introducing Scrabble into schools across the state to nurture more young talents.
The 9th National Youth Games brought together hundreds of young athletes from across Nigeria to compete in multiple sports, serving as a platform for talent discovery and youth empowerment.
Sanwo-Olu to Host Champions, Team Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to host and celebrate Team Lagos, the newly crowned champions of the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking during a virtual conference with the athletes and officials on the eve of the closing ceremony from their hotel in Asaba, the Governor expressed immense pride in the team’s record-breaking achievement. Team Lagos topped the medals table ahead of perennial rivals Delta and Edo States, marking the first time the state would claim overall victory in the history of the Games.
“We are very proud of you for winning the National Youth Games,” Sanwo-Olu said. “I am really excited that Lagos is showing Nigeria we are the best in sports. In the next one or two weeks, we will all gather at the State House to celebrate this great achievement and have dinner together.”
The Governor also thanked the athletes’ parents for supporting their wards’ participation and urged the young sportsmen and women to remain disciplined as they advance into higher national teams. He stressed that while medals are important, their conduct on and off the field will ultimately define their legacy.
Sanwo-Olu singled out the Lagos State Sports Commission for praise, particularly its Director-General, Lekan Fatodu, for steering the athletes to success. “Your hard work and leadership have paid off,” he noted, adding that the triumph was a validation of the state’s commitment to grassroots sports development.
Every remark from the Governor was met with resounding chants of “Eko, Eko, Eko” from the jubilant athletes, who could not contain their excitement at the promise of a state banquet in their honour.
In his response, Fatodu lauded the Governor’s consistent investment in sports infrastructure and youth development, describing the victory as a product of sustained vision and support. “For the first time, Lagos is regaining the No. 1 position in Nigerian sports, and I want to assure you this is just the beginning,” he declared.
