Photo: Medal presentation by Team Lagos at the 2023 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta. Credit: Adeniyi Muyiwa/Sport Retina
Photo: Medal presentation by Team Lagos at the 2023 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta. Credit: Adeniyi Muyiwa/Sport Retina

Comparative Analysis: How the National Youth Games evolved from Kwara to Delta

The 2023 edition of the National Youth Games, held in Asaba, Delta State, has come and gone. However, it is imperative to evaluate the numbers that resonate with this edition of Nigeria’s biggest juvenile contest compared to its 2021 edition held in Ilorin, Kwara State. A striking similarity is that Delta State was the winner in both editions. 

This year’s edition has gigantic numbers, more than the last edition in 2021. According to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, 5,742 athletes, including coaches and officials, visited to participate in more than 30 different sports in the Delta metropolis, a bit higher than the influx of 5,070 athletes, coaches, state delegates, and other officials in Kwara.

National Youth Games Medal Distribution

The seventh edition of the National Youth Games concluded with a total of 647 medals awarded, outnumbering the 631 medals given out in the previous edition. This increase was primarily driven by a rise in bronze medals, with 253 bronze medals awarded in Asaba compared to 248 in Kwara.

Notably, the number of gold and silver medals remained nearly identical, with 197 gold in 2023 and 193 in 2021, and 197 silver in 2023 and 190 in 2021.

Despite the higher number of medals awarded in Asaba, a closer look reveals that the percentage distribution across gold, silver, and bronze categories remained uniform between the two events. Both editions saw roughly 30.5% of medals awarded as gold or silver, while bronze medals accounted for approximately 39.1% and 39.3% in Asaba and Kwara, respectively.

This consistency in medal distribution suggests that the overall level of competition remained relatively stable between the two NYG editions. While the total number of medals awarded increased, the distribution across categories stayed the same, signifying a maintained balance in performance across participating athletes.

The Big Four

Made In Africa Sport observed that four states have consistently dominated the medal standings in both editions of the National Youth Games. These four states, Delta, Lagos, Edo, and Bayelsa, have continuously held their ground despite fluctuations in their medal counts. 

The consistent big four of the National Youth Games in 2021 and 2023 (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
The consistent big four of the National Youth Games in 2021 and 2023 (Source: NYG Medal Standing)

Delta State, the undisputed National Youth Games champion since its inception, once again secured the title at the latest edition. Their dominance was undeniable, as they captured 51 out of 197 possible gold medals, representing a substantial 30.72% of the top 10 participating states.

However, a closer look reveals a concerning trend—a significant decline in their gold medal haul. While their total medal count of 116 surpassed their 2021 performance by two, their gold medal tally dipped by nine compared to the previous edition, where they amassed a staggering 60. This drop raises questions about their overall performance, particularly considering the NYG ranking system’s heavy emphasis on gold medals.

In the 2021 edition, Delta’s 60 gold medals represented 36.4% of all gold medals awarded among the top 10 states, further solidifying their leadership. Their silver and bronze medals also held significant weight, accounting for 20.31% and 16.77% respectively.

Percentage of medals won among top 10 states in 2021 (6th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Percentage of medals won among top 10 states in 2021 (6th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Percentage of medals won among top 10 states in 2023 (7th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Percentage of medals won among top 10 states in 2023 (7th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)

Team Lagos, the lone Southwestern contender among the top four, performed consistently in both editions. In 2021, they secured 19 gold, 25 silver, and 28 bronze medals. In Asaba, they maintained their trajectory, winning an identical 21 medals in both the gold and bronze categories while decreasing their silver count to 19.

Team Edo experienced a leap in performance, retaining their third spot. Not only did they win seven more medals in 2023, but they also added three more gold medals to their previous tally of 18, bolstering their position as a major contender.

Completing the quartet is Team Bayelsa, who similarly raised their game, scaling up their gold medal count from 16 in 2021 to 20 in 2023. However, their silver medal count dipped from 14 to 7, while their bronze medal count remained unchanged at 16.

Rest of the pack

Top 10 states with most medals in 2021 (6th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Top 10 states with most medals in 2021 (6th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Top 10 states with most medals in 2023 (7th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Top 10 states with most medals in 2023 (7th edition). (Source: NYG Medal Standing)

With an eagle-eye view of the top ten for the sixth and seventh editions, Team Kwara climbed close to the Big Four with 36 medals; this marked a notable improvement over their 32-medal performance on home soil in 2021. Team Rivers, however, failed to replicate their past success, dropping from fifth to ninth place despite winning 35 medals, two more than the previous edition’s 33.

While Team FCT maintained its sixth-place position in both editions, their performance at Delta 2023 was more impressive, with 37 medals—one more than they managed in Kwara 2021.

The Gateway State, Team Ogun, maintained their top 10 status in 2023 despite winning significantly fewer medals than in 2021. Their haul of 45 medals in 2021 saw them finish in eighth place, while they finished seventh with 32 medals in 2023 due to their increase in the number of gold medals won from eight to 11.

Team Anambra made a significant jump in the standings, finishing in the top 10 with 22 medals, a stark improvement from their 15th-place finish in Kwara. Conversely, Oyo State fell to 12th place, managing only 17 medals.

Plateau State also made significant progress, reaching the edge of the top 10 with 15 medals, a notable achievement considering they won no bronze medals in Kwara.

Team Ondo, however, saw their ranking decline dramatically, dropping from their previous top 10 positions with 30 medals in Kwara to 14 medals in Asaba.

Zonal performance breakdown

Based on the results presented, it is crucial to also evaluate the performance of each geopolitical zone to assess their dedication to the event and the overall development of sport in the country. This assessment will provide valuable insights into the commitment and effectiveness of each zone’s efforts.

Total medals of 2021 distribution by geopolitical zones. (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Total medals of 2021 distribution by geopolitical zones. (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Total medals of 2023 distribution by geopolitical zones. (Source: NYG Medal Standing)
Total medals of 2023 distribution by geopolitical zones. (Source: NYG Medal Standing)

In the South-South zone, teams demonstrated significant improvement, increasing their share of medals from 41.08% in Kwara to 43.28% in Asaba.

Notably, Team Delta secured the title in both contests, with Team Edo and Team Bayelsa putting up finer performances to finish in third and fourth positions in 2021 and 2023, respectively, showcasing the consistent competitiveness landscape within the region.

While the South-West remains a powerhouse, its overall performance dipped from 32.36% in 2021 to 22.14% in 2023. Despite this decline, Lagos continued its reign as the zone’s top performer. Ogun and Oyo replicated their previous placements, solidifying their positions as second and third, respectively, in the region.

The North-Central zone emerged as a force to be reckoned with, displaying improvement. Their combined performance leapt from 14.63% in 2021 to 16.58% in 2023, challenging the established dominance of other regions. Team Kwara and Team FCT were instrumental in driving this success, establishing themselves as contenders.

The remaining three geopolitical zones in Nigeria also displayed positive growth trajectories, demonstrating their commitment to developing young talent. The South-East saw a modest increase from 4.91% to 6.5%, while the North-West witnessed a similar upward trend, rising from 5.8% to 6.67%.

Notably, the North-East zone made the most significant strides, propelling their performance from a meagre 1.2% to a commendable 4.75%.

South-South’s Investment in Sports: A Catalyst for Hosting Dominance?

In the open-age senior event, the South-South zone has also consistently dominated the National Sports Festival (NSF), raising questions about the relationship between investment, hosting rights, and overall performance. Made In Africa Sport’s observations suggest a potential link between the zone’s substantial financial commitment to sports and its frequent hosting opportunities.

Investment as a Key Factor

Made In Africa Sport highlights significant investments by Delta State, allocating over 6 billion naira and 13 billion naira to the sports sector in 2022 and 2023, respectively. This substantial financial support suggests a strong commitment to developing athletic talent and creating an environment conducive to success.

Hosting Rights and Performance

We further note that the South-South zone has hosted the NSF eight times since its inception, including the most recent event in 2022. This frequent hosting privilege has potentially provided an advantage to athletes from the zone, allowing them to compete on familiar grounds.

Beyond Investment and Hosting

While investment and hosting opportunities undoubtedly contribute to success, other factors also play a crucial role. Firstly, their increased financial investment in sports has led to improved infrastructure, training facilities, and equipment, ultimately attracting qualified coaches and robust youth development programmes.

Secondly, hosting major national events brings valuable exposure to local athletes, motivating them and fostering a culture of athleticism within the community. Additionally, these events on home grounds provide a platform to showcase talents to national and international audiences, potentially attracting sponsorships and further investment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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