By Femi Atolagbe, Asaba

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Delta State retained first position as President Muhammadu Buhari declared 21st National Sports Festival closed.

The defending Champion maintained the lead as overall winner of the competition with 649 medals (320 gold, 200 silver and 120 bronze), while  Bayelsa clinched the second position with 337 medals (132 gold, 115 silver, 90 bronze) and Edo, third with 339 medals (78 gold, 94 silver, 167 bronze)

While declaring the Festival closed at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, President Buhari congratulated Team Delta for its outstanding performance at the event.

President Buhari represented by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, officially announced Ogun State as the next host of the National Sports Festival (NSF), their second hosting after their first one in 2006.

Buhari said five states put in the bid to host the 22nd edition of the festival, billed for 2024.

He, however, said for the first time the competition’s hosting rights would have a first runners-up in Oyo State.

“Following the evaluation of the bids and physical evaluation to the states, the runners-up will be on standby,” the minister said.

He said the essence of placing a willing state on standby was to make them ready in case the earlier chosen state failed to meet up.

He stated further that Sports has over the years proven to be an enabler for economic activities in the Host State and community, adding that it has also fast-tracked the provision of infrastructure and led to the development of new cities and therefore urged all States of the Federation and the FCT to continue to partner the Federal Government in its sports development efforts so that together as a nation, we can attain our sports development vision.

Speaking earlier, the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting Delta State the opportunity to host the event and assured that the state will use the facilities on ground  to generate revenue for the development of sports and other competitions.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, expressed satisfaction over the excellent performance of the athletes that made the State the leading champion .