By Ademuyiwa Balikis
Lagos State has emerged champions of the 9th National Youth Games, ending Delta State’s eight year reign as the only winners since the competition was revived in 2016.
The Games, which ended in Asaba on Saturday, saw Lagos claim the top position with 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze medals, making a total of 110 medals. Delta finished second despite amassing the highest total medals, with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze, while Edo secured third place with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze.
Lagos’ victory marks the first time in the history of the Youth Games that another state has surpassed Delta in the overall medal standings.
Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu hailed the achievement, describing it as proof of the state’s commitment to developing young athletes. He announced that the state would host the victorious contingent in celebration of the landmark win.
The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, attributed the triumph to years of investment in grassroots sports and the discipline of presenting athletes within the right age category. He described the win as just the beginning of greater successes for Lagos.
Delta, widely regarded as the home of Nigerian grassroots sports, had won all eight previous editions of the Games. Lagos’ breakthrough is now seen as a turning point in the competition’s history, highlighting the growing competitiveness among states in nurturing young sporting talents.
