Adedokun Waliyu 
Team Delta has become the champions of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF) as curtains fall on the competition on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Team Delta topped the medals table after winning 320 gold, 200 silver and 128 bronze medals, while Team Bayelsa came second with 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze medals.
Team Edo finished a distant third with 78 gold, 94 silver and 167 bronze medals.
Team Oyo took the fourth position with 50 gold, 51 silver and 62 bronze medals, while Lagos secured 41 gold, 57 silver and 74 bronze medals to come fifth.
The victory in Asaba is Team Delta’s 7th consecutive NSF triumph and they ensure the triumph on home soil remains the most emphatic of all.
The 10-day-long sporting festival saw over 14,000 athletes descend in Asaba to flaunt their mettle in 38 sports.
Fans at the games were left with both warmth memories as Chukwuebuka Enekwechi broke the country’s national hammer throw record and Tima Godbless finally established herself as the best emerging sprint talent, winning gold in both the women’s 100m and 200m races.
However, a tragic incident also happened when Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, a boxer representing Imo state, died after a bout at the festival.
