Niger Delta Sports Festival: Delta State excels, ‘suffering’ Akwa Ibom athletes protest

As of 8:00pm on April 4, 2025, Delta State has emerged as the leader in the medals table for the 1st Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The state has secured an impressive 20 gold, 10 silver, and 9 bronze medals, giving them a total of 39 medals.

Bayelsa State follows closely in second place with 12 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals, totaling 27 medals.

Edo State ranks third with 8 gold, 13 silver, and 10 bronze medals, totaling 31 medals.

Other states in the medals table include Rivers State with 2 gold, 6 silver, and 8 bronze medals (18 total); Ondo State with 5 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals (12 total); Imo State with 1 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals (10 total); Akwa Ibom State with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals (9 total); Abia State with 2 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals (8 total); and Cross River State with 2 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals (8 total).

The festival continues in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with more exciting competitions and medal updates expected.

A beautiful opening

The Niger Delta Sports Festival started off in a very beautiful style with the opening ceremony on April 1st showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage and athletic prowess.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, declared the festival open in Uyo – South-south Nigeria, on behalf of Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A major highlight of the festival was the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) Initiative.

The initiative, designed to identify and nurture young talent, will see promising athletes from across the country competing as the 38th state at the upcoming National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.

Notably, a healthy percentage of the athletes selected for the IJA initiative are participating in the Niger Delta Sports Festival, underscoring its role in grassroots sports development.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to using sports as a tool for youth empowerment, just as President Tinubu has envisioned,” the NSC DG Bukola Olopade said.

The event was graced by the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Ondo states, Umo Eno and Lucky Aiyedatiwa respectively.

The dignitaries included the Honourable Minister of the Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh and top stakeholders from the sporting fraternity.

The festival, which runs from April 1 to 8, features about 3,000 athletes and 500 officials competing in 17 sports.

Akwa Ibom athletes protest

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State athletes in the ongoing festival have taken the laws into their hands by blocking the entrance of the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom in protest for underpayment of camping (pre-competition) allowances.

Information has it that, athletes who were expecting to be paid 30,000 Naira were shocked to be handed a paltry sum of 5,000 Naira as their camping allowance.

The Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre is the official camp for Akwa Ibom State athletes.

The festival began on April 01, 2025 and will come to an end on April 09, 2025.

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