As the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), Gateway Games Ogun 2024 progresses, the medal table is taking shape with Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States emerging as the top-performing contingents so far.
According to the official medal summary, Delta currently leads the standings with an impressive haul of 76 medals, comprising 35 gold, 12 silver, and 29 bronze. Not far behind is Bayelsa, whose athletes have claimed 33 gold, 16 silver, and 17 bronze medals, bringing their total to 66. Rivers followed in third place with 43 medals, including 17 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze.
The host state, Ogun, sits in fourth place with 12 gold, 14 silver, and 18 bronze medals, totaling 44. Oyo and Osun follow closely in fifth and sixth positions respectively, with 42 and 14 medals.
One notable highlight is the performance of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), a special contingent introduced by the National Sports Commission to give younger talents elite-level exposure. The IJA team has so far won 2 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze medal, totaling 8 medals — an encouraging showing that underscores the potential of youth development initiatives in Nigerian sports.
Edo State, despite sitting seventh on the table with only 8 gold medals, boasts a remarkable 38 silver medals — the highest silver tally by any state, which may suggest strong performances just short of top podium finishes.
Other mid-table performers include Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Cross River, and Abia. States like Kebbi, Borno, and Benue round out the bottom of the table, with minimal medal returns thus far.
In total, 152 gold, 151 silver, and 213 bronze medals have been awarded, bringing the festival’s medal count to 516 as competition continues across multiple venues.
With several events still ongoing, the medal standings could shift dramatically in the days ahead, especially as powerhouse states intensify their push for supremacy and younger athletes seek to make history.
The National Sports Festival, Nigeria’s foremost multi-sport competition, continues to live up to its billing as a breeding ground for talent and a celebration of sporting excellence.
