By Amaechi Agbo

As the curtain was drawn in Abeokuta on Thursday following the closing ceremony of the 2024 National Sports Festival, Team Enugu State ended the festival with 16 medals.

The medals comprises one gold, 7 silver and 8 bronze. The feat marked a significant improvement in the team’s participation at the Festival compared to their previous outings.

With 88 athletes, Team Enugu participated in 12 sporting events. However, the para-athletes were the cynosure of eyes as they amassed the medals for the Coal City State

Speaking in an interview, the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Youths and Sports Enugu State, San Onwuguna said the contingent could have won more gold medals but for technical decisions.

He commended the officials and athletes for their commitment and dedication, stressing that the performance is an eneegiszer ahead of the 2026 edition which will be hosted by the state.

“We could have won more gold medals but the technical officials brought up issues that ensured that the first gold medal we won was withdrawn and we were given silver instead. Nonetheless, I want to commend the athletes and officials for their brave performance. This performance is a tonic ahead of next year’s edition which we are hosting.

“I also want to thank our Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports for their massive support which led to the medals we won,” he said.

Delta State retained their number one position on the table as the best sporting state in the country. The “Big Heart” State had a total of 337 medals including 126 gold, 100 silver and 111 bronze.

Host Ogun State came second with 238 medals while Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Oyo, Lagos, FCT, Osun and Akwa Ibom States came 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th respectively.

Zamfara and Kebbi States were ranked 37th and 36th with one bronze and two bronze medals, in that order.

Enugu State will host the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival next year.