NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Delta dominates taekwondo at the Gateway Games 2024
Delta State reaffirmed its supremacy in taekwondo by emerging as the overall champion at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024.
The five-day event, held at Ilisan Town Hall, saw the defending champion clinching an impressive haul of five gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.
Delta’s dominance was particularly evident in the Poomsae (demonstration) category, where they secured gold in the male and female team events, as well as the pair event. National champions Olusola Olowookere and Kolade Paul added to the tally with gold medals in the men’s lightweight and middleweight divisions, respectively, helping Delta top the medal table.
Oyo State finished second overall with three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals, while Osun State came third, securing three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
Host state Ogun placed fourth with two gold, five silver, and three bronze medals. Bayelsa and Rivers States also claimed two gold medals each, but Bayelsa edged ahead with two silver and six bronze medals, compared to Rivers’ lower medal count.
Speaking on the quality of competition, Victor John, Technical Director of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, praised the event’s competitiveness and the emergence of promising new talent.
“I’m excited by the hunger and potential shown by the new athletes. We’ve identified several for the national camp. While many are still raw, with proper training and exposure, they can become world-class competitors,” John said.
“This year’s festival showcased high-quality bouts across all weight categories. We hope this momentum continues across states to build a strong national team for future events like the African Games and Olympic qualifiers,” he added.
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A seven-member management team has been inaugurated to manage the Rivers State contingent’s participation at the 2026 Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold in Edo State.
Former Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Chris Green, who has served four terms in that role, was named chairman of the committee charged with overseeing the preparations and welfare of Team Rivers for the regional multi-sport event, tagged Edo 2026.
Other members of the team are Professor Ken Anugweje, Comrade Emma Ndah, Obia Inyengiyikabo and Awele Salubi, while Emmanuel Jaja will serve as the committee’s secretary. Veteran sports journalist Sammy Wejinya was also appointed Media Head and Director of Communications of the team.
Speaking shortly after the inauguration, Green urged members of the committee to deploy their vast experience and expertise to ensure that the Rivers State contingent performs creditably at the games.
“Only the best in their respective fields have been selected to serve in the team, and I want to use this opportunity to charge all the appointed members to bring their wealth of experience to bear as we open yet another vista in the chapter of sports in Rivers State,” Green said.
The 2026 Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, will be held in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 27, 2026.
The games are expected to feature competitions in 17 sports, with events taking place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and other designated venues across the host city.
The Niger Delta Games bring together athletes from states in the oil-producing region and are aimed at promoting sports development, unity and youth engagement across the Niger Delta.
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The Leadership of the Africa Sports Management Association (ASMA) has joined others in mourning the 22 athletes of Kano State who died on their way back from the just concluded National Sports Festival.
In a statement signed by its president, Prof. Oluwaseun Omotayo, the association remarked that it received with shock the news of the fatal motor accident that claimed the lives of the 22 Kano State athletes.
“The purpose of this message is to express deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragic accident.
“Africa Sports Management Association (ASMA) leadership commiserate with the National Sports Commission, the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Kano State Governor and the Kano State Sports Commission, Ogun State Governor and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the entire Nigerian sports community “, the statement concluded.
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The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, has expressed condolences to the Kano State Government. They expressed sympathy for the tragic incident involving members of the Kano State contingent. These members were returning home after participating in the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.
A bus conveying the athletes was said to have been involved in a crash at the Dakatsalle Bridge in the Kura Local Government area of Kano State after passing Kaduna state, claiming the lives of 21 athletes.
The Executive Secretary of the LOC, Dr Kweku A. Tandoh, remarked: “We are saddened by this incident, particularly with the death of these young people, budding stars who had a lot to give the country with their talent, skills, and creativity in sports.
“Words cannot adequately express the sorrow the LOC feels at this loss.
“We offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the departed ones, and we pray that God will comfort the families.
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