By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Uyo
Day 3 of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) delivered electrifying performances across multiple disciplines, but none more dominant than Team Delta, who swept the podium in several key events on Thursday, April 4, 2025.
From the pool to the track and even the powerlifting platform, Delta State athletes showcased top-tier talent, leading the medal charts in what is fast becoming a statement outing for the oil-rich state.
“It’s the result of years of steady investment in grassroots sports,” said a Delta team official. “Our athletes are hungry, well-prepared, and they’re here to prove a point.”
In the swimming events, Delta clinched multiple golds, including the 50m butterfly (both men and women), 200m freestyle (women), 4x100m medley relay (men), and 200m breaststroke (women). The swimmers also picked up a slew of silvers and bronzes, confirming their status as the team to beat in aquatic events.
In athletics, Delta extended their lead with gold medals in the women’s triple jump, 400m hurdles, javelin, and high jump events. Their clean sweep in the men’s high jump, with gold and silver medals, added to their points tally and sent a strong signal to rivals.
The Para-Athletics events also saw Team Delta rising above the rest, with victories in the T53/54 100m (women), F57 shot put (women), and podium finishes in various other categories.
Elsewhere, Bayelsa State showed flashes of brilliance in swimming—winning the men’s 200m freestyle and 4x100m mixed freestyle relay. They also shone in Para-Athletics, taking gold in the men’s T53/54 100m. However, they continue to trail Delta’s pace in the overall tally.
Rivers and Edo States had strong outings too. Edo bagged gold in the 72kg men’s powerlifting, the hammer throw (men), and several medals in swimming and athletics. Rivers took gold in the 200m breaststroke (men), 100m backstroke (men), and the T46/47 men’s 100m.
Akwa Ibom made the podium in a few categories, including a bronze in the 72kg powerlifting (men) and silver in the men’s hammer throw.
As competition heats up, Delta State continues to stretch their lead, powered by consistency across various sports.
“With the momentum we have now, we are not just aiming to win — we want to set a record,” said a Delta track coach. “Our athletes are making the state proud.”
With more medal events ahead, attention turns to whether any other state can close the growing gap or if Delta will continue its gold-plated march to the top of the medal table.