Delta wins 2020 National Sports Festival, named as next host

Delta State has won the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival held in Edo State between April 2 and 14.

The dominant state emerged champion of the competition with 158 gold, 116 silver, and 110 bronze medals. Delta led all other states and the FCT in all categories of the medals.

The host, Team Edo, emerged second with 129 gold, 104 silver, and 108 bronze while Team Bayelsa finished at the third spot with 56 gold, 55 silver, and 58 bronze.

Rivers came fourth with 33 gold, 34 silver, and 61 bronze; Lagos fifth with 32 gold, 40 silver, 54 bronze; Oyo sixth – 31 gold, 30 silver, 42 bronze.

Akwa Ibom came seventh with 20 gold, 24 silver, and 44 bronze while secured  Ogun had 16 gold, 23 silver, 39 bronze to emerge eighth; Kano ninth with 11 gold, 22 silver, 33 bronze.

Delta State was also named as host of the 21st edition billed for next year on Wednesday night in Benin-City, during the closing ceremony.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Anako Nebeolisa, who represented the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, announced Delta as host of the NSF 2022.

He said, “Congratulations to Delta State for emerging the overall winner of the 2020 National Sports Festival. I’m glad to note that the Federal Government received bids to host the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival in 2022 from six states namely: Delta, Ebonyi, Imo, Kaduna, Kano and Ogun.

“Following the evaluation of the bids and the physical visitation to the prospective states, I hereby announce Delta State as the next host of the National Sports Festival in 2022. I congratulate the government and people of Delta State on emerging the preferred state (next host) and wish them the best of luck in the organisation of the 21st National Sports Festival.”