Team Lagos has been declared the overall winners of the 9th National Youth Games held in Asaba, Delta State, having held a commanding lead throughout the medal table following the exceptional performances in several different sporting events.
The Lagos contingent comfortably finished in the top of the standings with well over 50 gold medals, and dozens of silver and bronze, leaving Edo second place, and the host state Delta third place respectively. While the figures vary slightly in the various reports, Lagos clearly had the overall lead and had the most emphatic victory to date in the history of the Games.
Edo had strong competition with over 30 gold medals, while Delta fought the hardest on home soil with over 30 golds as well. The rivalry among the three states added suspense to the last days of the competition; it must be envisioned that these three accounted for some of the top young athletes in the country last week.
Beyond the competitive aspect of the event, it was also important for talent development in horse riders with the National Sports Commission’s Talent Discovering Committee identifying several, establishing plans to nurture them with a view to representing the country at some point at the national and international levels, and this was clearly being done in keeping with the overall objective of the Games – to identify and nurture grassroots talents.
After the victory Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed pleasure in the accomplishments of the team, and he intends to invite the athletes and officials to the State House for a dinner celebration of the achievements adding that Lagos has been unwavering in its promise and commitment to grassroots sports development.
The 9th National Youth Games in Asaba was not only about celebrating competition and outstanding athletes, but about encouraging youth empowerment, talent discovery, and state investment into sports. Lagos kept the pace, and the tournament closed on a happy note and will hopefully be a precursor to stronger performances at any national and global sporting events.
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