As the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, , tagged Gateway Games Ogun 2024, gathers momentum, the medal standings are beginning to reflect the dominance of perennial powerhouses, with Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States currently occupying the top spots.
According to the latest official medal summary, Delta State is leading the pack with a commanding total of 76 medals, made up of 35 gold, 12 silver, and 29 bronze.
Hot on their heels is Bayelsa State, whose athletes have racked up 66 medals, comprising 33 gold, 16 silver, and 17 bronze. Rivers State holds third place with a tally of 43 medals: 17 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze.
Host state Ogun is not far behind, sitting in fourth position with 44 medals — 12 gold, 14 silver, and 18 bronze as their athletes look to leverage home advantage in the coming days.
Oyo and Osun States are next in line in fifth and sixth positions, boasting 42 and 14 medals respectively.
One of the standout stories of the festival so far is the showing from the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), a special contingent created by the National Sports Commission to expose emerging talents to elite-level competition.
“The IJA team has so far won 2 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze medal, totaling 8 medals,” a statement confirmed — a promising return that reflects the future of Nigerian sports.
Despite sitting seventh on the table, Edo State has delivered an eye-catching performance in silver medals, amassing 38, the highest by any contingent.
Though they have only 8 gold medals, the silver count signals strong efforts that narrowly missed the top prize.
Other states making notable appearances in the mid-table include Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Cross River, and Abia.
Meanwhile, states like Kebbi, Borno, and Benue find themselves at the lower end of the medal chart with only a few podium finishes to their name so far.
Overall, 152 gold, 151 silver, and 213 bronze medals have been distributed, amounting to a total of 516 medals as the competition continues across various venues in Ogun State.
With many events still underway, the rankings remain fluid. The coming days promise more twists as established states aim to cement their dominance, while ambitious young athletes chase historic milestones.
The National Sports Festival, Nigeria’s flagship multi-sport event, remains a vibrant showcase of athletic excellence and a key platform for unearthing the country’s next generation of sports stars.
