Sports Groove

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Kola Daniel    The 9th edition of the National Youth Games came to a spectacular close on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, South-South, Nigeria, with a vibrant display of culture, music, and athletic pride.   In a dramatic shift of dominance, Team Lagos dethroned perennial champions Delta State to claim the overall title, marking a new chapter in youth sports excellence. In a thrilling showcase of talent and competitive spirit, Lagos topped the medal table with 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze medals.    Delta followed closely with 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze, while Edo State secured third place with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze.    Bayelsa State finished fourth with 18 gold, 12 silver, and 25 bronze, and Kwara State rounded out the top five with 15 gold, 10 silver, and 19 bronze.   HEAR FROM THE ACTORS ★ MALLAM SHEHU DIKKO, Chairma...

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Pereolotu Amgbare   Bayelsa State' delegation to the recently concluded 2025 National Youth Games raised the bar at the multi-sport event and reaffirmed the state’s growing dominance in grassroots sports development, as they delivered a landmark performance that eclipsed their previous outings. With well over 50 medals in hand, consisting of a health tally of 18 gold, 12 silver, and 25 bronze medals, Team Bayelsa showcased depth, discipline, and determination across a wide spectrum of events —from combat sports to intellectual games, track events to adaptive competitions.    ★ MEDAL HIGHLIGHTS:   Combat & Strength ✓ WRESTLING – 5 gold, 1 bronze   ✓ JUDO – 1 gold, 1 bronze   ✓ BOXING – 1 bronze   ✓ TAEKWONDO – 1 bronze   ✓ PARA WEIGHTLIFTING – 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze   ✓ KUNG-FU – 1 silver   Track & Field ✓ ATHLETICS – 2 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze   ✓ SWIMMING – 3 si...

Team Nasarawa to the 9th edition of the National Youth Games have returned home after the curtains for the multi-sports event were drawn closed in a colorful ceremony held at the prestigious Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, South-South, Nigeria. The contingent returned on Sunday, 7th September, 2025, finishing 24th position out of thirty-six States of the Federation and FCT Abuja after winning nine medals, comprising two gold and seven bronze in the two-week-long event.  Sidi Ibrahim and Godwin Friday won gold in the Boys' Junior Stable Ford Golf event and Boys' Match Play event, respectively. Sidi Ibrahim also won Team Nasarawa a bronze medal in the Eclectic Golf event.  In Shooting Sport, Team Nasarawa settled for the bronze medal in the Mixed Air Rifle event, ahead of seventeen other States. The combination of Sodunke Samuel Opeyemi and Oluwatomiwa Quwiyat trailed their counterparts from Imo and Rivers States who came first and second pos...

...We're proud of every athlete, who represented Lagos with courage and might - Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Akeem Busari    Lagos State' contingent to the 9th edition of the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, South-South, Nigeria, did more than make history at the multi-sport showpiece, they proved their worth as they dethroned Perennial-rivals, Hosts and Defending Champions —Team Delta. The euphoria is not dying, as the sports fraternity in the Center of Excellence, is abuzz with excitement and felicitations.   An experienced sports administrator, who played a pivotal role in ensuring Team Lagos dominated the annual event, by topping the medals table is none other than Honourable Damilare Orimoloye who also doubles as the Senior Special Assistant on Sports, to the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and he was quick to remind everyone that the historic feat was ...

   Team Lagos has won the 9th National Youth Games concluded in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Saturday. The Centre of Excellence took the top honour with 52 gold, 32 silver and 26 bronze medals Team Delta, the defending champion finished second ahead of Edo State. Delta came second with 37 gold, 38 silver and 39 bronze medals. Thirty three States registered their presence on the medals table, winning a total of 802 medals, comprising 246 gold, 236 silver and 320 bronze medals. FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG'S coverage of the 9th National Youth Games, is proudly supported by: ★ The Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, MRS. SABINA CHIKERE  ★ The initiator of the Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament, (EEAST), EMMANUEL EGBELE ★ The CEO Front-Page Couture, CHARLES UZAMERE ★ Kadegg Nigeria Limited a world class construction, Consultancy and Management company ★ The President of Scrabble Las Vegas, DR. MUSA OLASUPO

...Top dignitaries from the National Sports Commission,Delta State government to grace closing ceremony  By Maxwell Kumoye in Asaba    After several days of keen competition among 6,000 young talented athletes from the 36 States of the Federation and Abuja vying for medals in 37 sports, the 9th National Youth Games come to a close today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State. The event will be graced by a representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko. The Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Honourable (Elder) Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, as well as the Director General of the NSC and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Honourable Bukola Olopade will also be in attendance. Other top sports administrators, and delegations from across the country are also expected to attend. The closing ceremony will begin in the morning with the finals of the 4x100 metres relay for boys and...

...Expresses satisfaction in Team Ogun's performance in Asaba By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba     The Commissioner for Sports, Ogun State Sports Ministry, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, on Friday stated that the main goal of the Team Ogun at the 9th National Youth Games which ends today in Asaba, the Delta State capital is to identify talents for the State and the various national teams. Honourable Isiaka gave this submission in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, emphasizing that at this very young age grade competition, winning medals is not the top priority of the State. The Commissioner was elated by Team Ogun's performance in the Sun City, and expressed deep satisfaction in its outing at the Games. He added that during the sports feast, four upcoming talents have been identified by the National Sports Commission and they will be nurtured by the State. He further added...

...Outlines programs for accelerating sports' development in Ogun State  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba    The Commissioner for Sports, Ogun State Sports Ministry, Honourable Wasiu, on Thursday, showered praises on the Sports Writers Association Nigeria, for its coverage of the ongoing 9th National Youth Games, and the recently concluded National Sports Festival, held in the art and cultural city of Abeokuta. Honourable Isiaka described SWAN's coverage of the two national sports feasts as excellent and flawless. He made this known during the SWAN convention held at the media center of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba the Delta State capital, adding that the value of journalists in the growth of sports in Nigeria, cannot be overemphasized. The commissioner further emphasized the need for SWAN to be recognized and rewarded for its unshaken and undeniable support towards projecting Sports in the country. Honourable called on SWAN to support the Ogu...

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Akeem Busari  Lagos State’ Female Football Team to the 9th edition of the National Youth Games ongoing in Asaba, the Delta State capital, South-South, Nigeria, has claimed a record extending triumph in the event.  The latest victory is the fifth consecutive National Youth Games title for Team Lagos. And it underscores the domination of Lagos State in youth football. The very intense and exciting final match ended 1-1 during regulations time, as Team Lagos struck late into the game, before they later won 5-4 on penalties. Speaking after the historic triumph, an elated Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Sports, Hon. Damilare Orimoloye, praised the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for creating an enabling environment for youths of the state to thrive and develop their innate talents.  He also commended the Director-General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, for hi...

...Wins basketball gold ...Increases medal haul By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba        'The Land of Honour and Integrity' - Ekiti State is making a bold and strong sporting statement in Asaba, Delta State, venue of the 9th National Sports Games. The impressive and bold story continued on Thursday, as Ekiti mine gold in male Basketball. Team Ekiti edged past Team Lagos 19-18 in a thrilling basketball final. Both teams showcased determination, skill, and composure, but the Ekiti squad demonstrated greater resilience to secure the gold in a closely contested match. State Basketball Coach Adetayo Awojinrin expressed pride in the players’ performance: “I am happy God crowned our efforts with success. Despite the tough matches we faced during the group stage, we managed to defeat Lagos in the final.   “I am proud of the team and believe this success will inspire them to win more gold medals in the future,” Awojinrin said. In Kungfu, Funbi Ade...

Team Kwara has continued to attract more medals through sterling performance in divergent sports at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State Capital Six-Year-Old Abdulsalam Yusuf and Hassan Olojoku delivered gold medal in the Male Doubles of Scrabble Team Event as Abdulmaleek Atanda and Falilat Abdulrasak won gold with their cycling skills, speed and endurance in both Male and Female in Cycling road race events. Also, In Track and Field Deaf Athletics, Olorunsaiye Glory clinched Gold in Girl's 200M event, while in Para-Athletics Discus, Precious Olanrewaju secured gold medal in the Girl's F42-44 Discus event.  In Squash, Aishat Abdulraheem, Loveth Balogun and Khadijat Durosinlohun clinched gold medal in Girl's Team Event, while their Boys settled for bronze as the Squash garnered a total of 5 medals, 3 Gold and 2 Bronze at the 9th National Youth Games. Meanwhile, in Badminton, Adekunle Precious Gbotemi has qualified to the final of female singles e...

‎ ‎The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele has commended Delta state for hosting the 9th National Youth Games.  ‎ ‎Hon. Desmond made this known to journalists at the St. Patrick College where he watched the female semi final football match with Team Delta defeating Team Edo 2-1. ‎ ‎"So far, I want to thank the organizers for putting together this competition, it's not easy hosting a competition of this magnitude so I want to commend Delta State for what we are witnessing here, although there is room for improvement in certain areas, he said.  ‎ ‎Hon. Desmond also expressed satisfaction with Team Edo's performance so far at the games, highlighting the support from the governor.  ‎ ‎"I'm impressed with what our athletes have done at the games, we are aware of how important it is for us to give back to our Sports loving governor, he has given us the support and enabling environment for us to thrive," ...

...Plans big for the next edition, eyes podium finish  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba           The Technical Advisor on Sports Development to the Governor of Ekiti, Dr. Olusola Osetoba, says His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji, is the fortress and foundation behind the history-making outing of Team Ekiti at the 9th National Youth Games ongoing in Asaba, the Delta State capital. Dr. Osetoba made this statement in an exclusive interview on Thursday with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, following Team Ekiti's stunning victory in the basketball event at the games. She explained that the transformation which has taken place in the Land of Honour and Integrity as the state is passionately called, helped the team to prepare fully for the Games. Dr. Olusola Osetoba further explained that the new facilities helped the state to select young athletes to represent Ekiti through secondary school games held...

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba  Team Kwara secured 5 medals on Day 5 of the 9th National Youth Games, ongoing in the Sun City, Asaba, Delta State. The list of athletes who secure medals for the state is headed by Amarachi Uzoma Patrick who secured two medals for Team Kwara. She took home a gold in Long Jump and clinched silver in the T46-47 100M Girls in the Track and FieldPara Athletics event. Amarachi Patrick was closely followed by Olorunsaiye Glory who secured the top spot in girl's 100M event of Deaf Athletics Also joining the list of medal winning athletes is Ayotide Adebayo, as he won a gold medal in the Shot Put event. In Darts, the top was beyond the reach of Taiwo Femi and Umar Abdulazeez as they settled for silver in the 501 male doubles event. In Squash, Usman Abdulsalam, Aisha Abdulraheem and Loveth Balogun have qualified for semi-finals of both boys and girls single events while Ibrahim Ismail has qualified to the final of _45KG boys categ...

...Team Lagos to retain top spot on the medal table  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba       The Technical Director of the Lagos State Sports Commission, (LSSC), Uthman Ola Okunnu, on Wednesday, stated that Team Lagos' outstanding performance at the 9th National Youth Games, ongoing in Asaba, the Delta State capital, is just the tip of the iceberg. The LSSC Technical Director explained that the boys and girls from the Center of Excellence will not just surpass last year's final record but will retain its top on the medal table. “So far it has been great. When compared with the last edition, we have surpassed last year's final result and this is just Day 6, we are still going, the sky is the limit,” he expressed. Team Lagos are currently heading the medal table with  ★ gold - 31 ★ silver - 16 ★ bronze - 13 Mr. Okunnu, a seasoned sports administrator emphasized that the flawless and impeccable preparations by the LSSC coupled with ...

...As Games enters Day 7 By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba           It was gold rush for Team Edo on Day 6 of the 9th National Youth Games, ongoing in Asaba, the Deltaq State capital. The 'Heartbeat of the Nation' as the sports loving state is affectionately called, secured gold in beach volleyball, athletics and judo. At the Anglican Girls Grammar School, the duo of Gift Iwobi and Odoni Esther brushed aside Akwa Ibom 2-0 (21-16, 17-8) in the semi-final before defeating Team Oyo 2-1 in a tense final to record a gold medal. In Athletics, Tejiri Ugoh delivered a rip-roaring performance in the girls 100m sprint, breezing past hosts, Delta State, Ogun, Kaduna Ondo, Bayelsa and Abia Start to claim top honours with a time of 11.72 seconds. Delta State duo of Chukwuma Blessing and Ufouma Merit completed the podium in the girls 100m under the 12 second mark. Following Ugoh's footsteps, Treasure Omosivwe clinched a gold medal in the gir...

...Trails leaders, Team Lagos on the medal table as Games enter Day 6 By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba           Team Edo reaffirmed its dominance in youth sports in Nigeria on Day 5 of the ongoing 9th National Youth Games securing 14 medals on Tuesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital. Aquatics proved to be the perfect mining spot for Team Edo on Day 5, as Ayemi Lucky stormed to gold in the 50m breaststroke (female) category, while Tissa Precious had earlier claimed the top spot in the 100m freestyle (male) event. In Taekwondo Team Edo claimed a gold medal in the girls -46kg category as Precious Akpan brushed aside competitors from Abia, Osun, and Ogun. On the cricket pitch, Edo’s male T20 team displayed superb teamwork and tactical brilliance to secure another gold, extending the state’s golden streak. The athletics track witnessed yet another highlight as Sunday Davwi proved unstoppable in the men’s 1500 meters, pulling away...

...As Edo extends dominant run at the Games By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba       The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, heaped praises on Team Edo at the ongoing 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, describing its performance as emphatic and dominant. Governor Okpebholo explained that Team Edo' performance so far at the Games is an undeniable evidence of the transformation that is taking place in Heartbeat of the Nation as the state is fondly called by his forward-looking administration. “This victory is a reflection of the new energy coursing through Edo’s sporting ecosystem, shaped by my administration's SHINE Agenda which prioritizes youth engagement and talent discovery. “This remarkable feat is a clear and resounding evidence to the deliberate investments and policy focus of my administration on the revival and repositioning of sports as a critical tool for youth development, empowerment, and so...

...Team Edo climbing to the top as weightlifters mine more gold  ...As Games enters Day 5, athletics begins  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba           The Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, (ESSC), Mrs. Sabina Chikere, on Tuesday, assured the sports loving people of Edo State of Team Edo' determination to claim the top spot on the medals table at the ongoing 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State. She stated that Team Edo sensational outing so far, could not have been possible with out the undivided support of the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo. She gave this affirmation in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Asaba, the Delta State capital. The centre of excellence and aquatic splendor, Team Lagos heads the medals table with: ★ 20 gold ★ 9 silver  ★ 6 bronze  Team...

...To meet Team Osun in the final  Report by: Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, in Asaba    Team Ogun has secured a place in the boys’ doubles final of table tennis at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State. The Gateway State advanced to the final after a solid 3-1 win over Team Kwara in the semi-final clash decided on Monday. Team Ogun, represented by brothers Mubarak and Mustapha Balogun, delivered a commanding performance to earn their spot in the final, where they will now confront Team Osun. Their journey to the final was marked by grit and resilience. In the quarter-finals, the Balogun brothers faced a tough challenge from Team Rivers' duo of Rabiu Adams and Godwin Sirawoo.  Team Ogun dropped the first two sets 11-7 and 11-9 but came back strongly to win the game 3-2 after the break. Team Ogun now has three silver and one bronze, the state has also reached the final in men’s double. The National Youth Games continues to serve as a vital platfo...