Bayelsa maintains lead on day 3 of Gateway games, Ogun 2024

On Day 3 of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games Ogun 2024, Team Bayelsa maintained their position at the top of the medal standings.

They lead with a total of nine medals, comprising 6 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze.

Their impressive performance keeps them ahead of the competition as the event continues to build momentum.

Oyo State follows closely behind in second place with a total of six medals.

Their medal haul includes 4 gold medals, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, placing them as strong contenders in the race for the overall title.

Lagos State sits in third position after Tuesday’s events.

Lagos has accumulated a total of 10 medals, made up of 3 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals, demonstrating a well-rounded performance across multiple sports.

Cross River State is currently in fourth place with a focused medal count of 3 gold medals and no silver or bronze yet.

Rivers State rounds out the top five, having won 2 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal, putting them in a competitive position as the festival progresses.

A standout story in the rankings so far is the performance of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA).

Despite being considered underdogs, they are currently placed sixth on the medal table.

The IJA have earned 2 gold medals, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, an achievement that highlights their strong performance and potential at the national level.

In a surprising development, the defending champions and perennial favorites, Team Delta, find themselves in an uncharacteristic seventh position.

Delta State has secured only 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal so far.

Their slow start has been unexpected, considering their dominance in past editions of the National Sports Festival.

However, there is still time for them to recover as the competition unfolds.

In total, 71 medals have been awarded as of the end of Day 3.

This includes 23 gold medals, 23 silver medals, and 25 bronze medals.

The medal distribution reflects a highly competitive festival with several states performing at a high level.

Also, the intensity of the event is clearly growing in terms of both excitement and sporting quality.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, addressed the issue of conflicting medal tables circulating online.

He urged journalists and media personnel covering the festival to rely solely on the official medals table provided by the Commission.

According to him, using unofficial or self-generated tables can lead to misinformation and confusion.

He emphasized that accurate reporting is essential and that the Commission’s official data should always serve as the reference point for medal standings and updates.

With many more events yet to be contested, the 2024 Gateway Games continue to generate enthusiasm among fans and athletes alike.

As the competition moves forward, all eyes will be on whether Team Bayelsa can maintain their lead, or if other teams will rise to challenge them for the top spot.

WHY IS IT DUBBED OGUN 2024?

The ongoing Gateway Games in Nigeria are dubbed “Ogun 2024”, firstly because the 22nd National Sports Festival is being hosted by Ogun State.

Here’s a breakdown of the naming:

“Gateway” is a nickname for Ogun State.

The state is often referred to as the “Gateway State” due to its strategic location as the gateway between Lagos and the rest of Nigeria, particularly the southwestern region.

“Ogun 2024” signifies both the host state (Ogun) and the year of the festival (2024).

National Sports Festival is Nigeria’s premier multi-sport competition, often compared to a national Olympics, and the hosting rights rotate among states.

So, “Gateway Games Ogun 2024” is the official branding for this edition of the National Sports Festival, emphasizing both the host location and the identity of the host state.

The 22nd National Sports Festival, branded as “Ogun 2024”, is still referred to by that name even though it’s taking place in 2025.

This is because it was originally scheduled for 2024.

However, due to postponements or delays, the event was rescheduled to 2025, but the name remained the same for consistency and branding purposes.

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