By Femi Atolagbe

Team Ondo ended the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in fifth position, with boxer Isiah Abu securing the 10th gold medal in the 81kg+ category.

Bayelsa State came first with 42 gold, 29 silver and 15 bronze medals, totalling 86.

Delta finished second with 41 gold, 26 silver, 32 bronze, and a total of 99 medals.

Edo came third with 23 gold, 35 silver and 31 bronze medals, bringing their total to 89.

Rivers ended with 21 gold, 16 silver and 26 bronze medals.

Ondo State clinched 10 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals, making a total of 43.

Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo and Cross River placed 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respectively.

On the final day of football, Ondo’s female team lost 4-2 to Delta, settling for silver, while Olayinka Owoeye also clinched silver in the men’s 102kg wrestling event.

The leader of the Ondo State delegation, Mrs Tolu Adeyemi, commended the state’s athletes for their discipline, dedication and impressive performance at the games.

She also praised the coaches, liaison committee members and all accompanying officers for their hard work from the athlete scouting stage across the 18 council areas to the final day of the games.

“We have done well; hence, I urge our contingent to consolidate on this performance at the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Ogun State.”