By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Team Lagos has emerged overall champions of the 9th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG), ending Team Delta’s eight-year dominance of the competition.
The Games, hosted for the third consecutive time at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, saw Lagos climb to the top with 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze medals, making a total of 110 medals.
The final day of the competition brought drama as Team Delta, the host, overtook Team Edo to finish second. Powered by strong performances in the closing events, Delta secured two additional gold medals and a bronze to move up the table.
Delta finished with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze medals, bringing their total to 114. Despite winning more overall medals than Lagos, Delta’s lower gold tally placed them second. Edo settled for third position with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals, totaling 79.
Delta State had previously won all eight editions of the Games since its debut in Abuja in 2013. Kwara State hosted five times between 2016 and 2021, before Delta signed a hosting agreement in 2022. Since then, the state has hosted three consecutive editions — 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Originally designed for under-17 athletes, the National Youth Games was later restricted to under-15 competitors, making it Nigeria’s biggest grassroots sports talent hunt.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, praised the successful hosting of the Games, describing it as a platform for grooming future champions who will represent Nigeria at international competitions.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, represented by Mrs. Amaka Ashovu, commended the athletes for their determination and sportsmanship, stressing that the Games have opened opportunities to discover fresh talents that will sustain Nigeria’s sporting future.