Impact of Programme Reductions on the National Sports Festival

The National Sports Commission (NSC) officially confirmed its roster for the upcoming National Sports Festival in a letter released yesterday, identifying football, basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, and cricket as the designated team sports for the zonal elimination series. Conspicuously missing from this lineup is hockey, a staple of previous editions that has now been excluded from the preliminary competitive phase.

This decision represents a significant departure from the 2025 National Sports Festival held in Ogun State, where hockey served as a core event for athletes representing various states. The shift in programming marks a notable change in the sporting landscape for the upcoming edition, leaving many regional teams to adjust their planning for the games.

While the National Sports Commission has yet to issue an official statement justifying the exclusion, reports suggest the decision is rooted in concerns regarding the current availability of tournament-standard hockey facilities in the host city of Enugu. Such infrastructure constraints appear to be a primary factor in the broader effort to streamline the sporting programme for the event.

This development has sparked significant concern within the national hockey community, as stakeholders increasingly question the logic of removing an established discipline from the country’s most prominent multi-sport gathering. Critics argue that the omission threatens to stall momentum for grassroots development initiatives that rely on the National Sports Festival to showcase and nurture emerging talent on a national stage.

For players and coaches, the National Sports Festival represents more than a competition. The Games provide an important platform for grassroots talent discovery, athlete development and preparation for national and international competitions. The absence of hockey could therefore limit opportunities for athletes hoping to use the festival as a pathway to higher-level competition.

The decision also comes as organisers move to significantly reduce the number of sports on the programme. The last two editions featured 39 sports, including demonstration events, but the 2026 edition is expected to have a much smaller programme.

Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, said the decision to reduce the number of sports to 20 was reached during the National Council of Sports meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State, last year.

According to Enugu State Commissioner for Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu, the intentional reduction of the event programme aligns with established international sporting practices, ensuring a more focused and manageable schedule. Despite these changes, Ekweremadu has reiterated that Enugu remains fully prepared and committed to hosting the 2026 National Sports Festival during the final quarter of the year, aiming to provide a high-quality experience for all participants.

For the national hockey community, however, the immediate concern remains the sport’s conspicuous absence from the official event programme and the long-term impact this decision could have on active athletes. The exclusion threatens to stall the momentum of grassroots development initiatives, which rely heavily on the visibility and competitive structure provided by such prominent multi-sport gatherings to identify and nurture young talent.

As preparations for the Enugu Games continue to gather pace, national focus will inevitably shift toward whether the National Sports Commission will issue further official clarification regarding the omission of hockey. Stakeholders are keen to understand the specific selection criteria used to finalise the schedule and whether there is any possibility for the sport to be reinstated into the final programme before the opening ceremonies commence.

Ultimately, this controversial decision has placed a significant spotlight on the difficult balance between the National Sports Commission’s desire to reduce the scale of the National Sports Festival and the urgent need to preserve vital development opportunities for athletes across all of Nigeria’s diverse sporting disciplines. The outcome of these discussions may well influence the future structure of the festival and its ability to serve as a comprehensive platform for the country’s broader athletic community.

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Historic path to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games

The formidable Nigerian pair of Esther Onyinye Mbah and Pamela Miyoum Bawa defeated Morocco 2-0 in the final of the 2026 African Beach Volleyball Championship, securing set scores of 21-17 and 21-10. This convincing victory allowed them to claim the coveted continental title and formally book Nigeria’s spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The historic achievement marks the first time an African nation has qualified for the women’s beach volleyball event at the upcoming Olympic Games through this specific qualification pathway.

For Mbah and Bawa, the landmark victory represents the most significant step in a promising partnership that has developed with remarkable speed over the past two years. Their chemistry on the court has become a focal point of their success, allowing them to overcome experienced opponents through disciplined play and effective communication.

The duo first teamed up in 2024 and have since gained invaluable experience competing together at major African and international competitions. Their rising trajectory has already produced notable results, including gold at the 2024 CAVB U19 Championships, a bronze medal at the 2024 African Games, and a hard-fought bronze at the 2025 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Senior Championships.

Now, their most substantial career achievement has arrived with an Olympic Games berth. This qualification is not merely a triumph for the individuals involved, but a defining moment for the entire programme, validating years of dedicated training and tactical preparation.

From African Games bronze to Olympic qualification

Mbah and Bawa’s rapid rise has been defined by their steady and consistent improvement on the continental stage. By building on the foundation established during their bronze-medal performance at the African Games, they have successfully translated that potential into consistent results at the senior level.

Their journey reflects a methodical approach to development that has seen them transition from promising junior talents to dominant senior players within the continental circuit. This progression provides them with the necessary momentum as they shift their focus toward the intense preparations required for their debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

At the 2024 African Games in Ghana, the pair won bronze after defeating Rwanda 2-0 in the third-place match. Mbah described that result as a dream come true and credited the support of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation for fostering their development.

I am very excited to win a bronze medal despite playing against some highly rated players in the beach volleyball event, Mbah said after that achievement.

Later that year, the pair won the African U19 title in Morocco, defeating the hosts 2-0 and securing qualification for the FIVB U19 World Championship.

Their senior breakthrough followed in 2025 when they claimed bronze at the African Continental Senior Championships and qualified for the World Beach Volleyball Championship.

The 2026 continental title represents the culmination of a progression that has taken them from junior champions to African senior champions and now qualifiers for the Olympic Games.

A new chapter for Nigerian volleyball

The qualification is significant for Nigeria as they prepare for the Olympic Games, marking the first time the country has reached this stage in the sport. This milestone reflects the growing depth of talent within the nation and demonstrates the success of sustained investment in athlete development programmes.

Beach volleyball has produced Olympic appearances for other African countries, including Egypt, but Nigeria had never previously qualified for the event.

The breakthrough also highlights the growing depth of Nigerian volleyball and the impact of sustained athlete development.

National Sports Commission Director-General Bukola Olopade described the qualification as evidence of the progress being made in the sport, while Nigeria Olympic Committee president Habu Gumel hailed Mbah and Bawa for writing their names into Nigerian sporting history.

This is a remarkable achievement and a proud moment for Nigeria, Gumel said.

For the pair, however, the work does not end with qualification.

Los Angeles now becomes the next target.

Nigeria will arrive at the 2028 Olympic Games with a beach volleyball team that has already demonstrated its ability to compete successfully against the continent’s leading nations.

Mbah and Bawa have spent the past two years building their partnership, gaining international experience and collecting medals.

Their latest victory has taken the Olympic Games qualifiers further than any Nigerian pair before.

From bronze at the African Games to African champions and now Olympic qualifiers, Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa have opened a new chapter for Nigerian volleyball.

Los Angeles 2028 will be the biggest stage yet.

And Nigeria will be there.

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This display of talent comes on the heels of a streak that extended from the recent continental championship in Lagos, Nigeria, to the home soil in Cape Coast delivers consistent success which underscores the depth of talent within the Ghanaian university system and the dedication of these young student-athletes.

Looking ahead, the focus now shifts towards international competition, the 2025 FISU Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. With such a strong foundation and a consistent track record of success, Ghanaian universities have the potential to make an impact on the global stage.

“Participation in world-class competitions will provide invaluable experience and exposure, allowing these athletes to hone their skills against the best in the world.” University of Ghana Hockey team captain, Richard Adjei muttered on their hopes of participating in FISU Games.

The Medal Standings: Celebrating the Top 5 Universities at the Ghana Universities Games

UCC wins 2024 GUSA Games.

1st UCC

2nd UG

3rd UEW

4th KNUST

5th UDS

6TH UNER

7th SDD-UBIDS

8th GCTU, AAMUSTED and UHAS

11th UniMAC, CKT-UTAS, UPSA, UMAT and UESD pic.twitter.com/FWbbxMaItr

— University of Cape Coast (UCC) (@UCCGH_Official) January 17, 2025

1. University of Cape Coast (UCC)

Indeed, the glory of the coast did not depart from the host after gaining the top place in the game’s ranking, with 18 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze medals, making it the first time in ten years that a university has hosted and won the games.

The University picked up seven trophies from basketball (male and female), hockey (female), netball (female), volleyball (male and female) and tennis (male).

2. University of Ghana, Legon (UG)

Team UG maintained its dominance after winning the overall best team in athletics, although it placed second to the host with 15 gold, 12 silver, and 15 bronze medals to place second on the table.

They won five trophies in athletics (male and female), beach volleyball (male), goal ball (female), and hockey (male).

3. University of Education, Winneba (UEW)

The defending champions, University of Education, Winneba (UEW) also won seven trophies from beach volleyball (female), goalball (male) handball (male and female), badminton (male and female), and table tennis (female).

They finished third with 14 gold, 18 silver, and nine bronze medals and will be hoping to reclaim their crown on home soil as the next host of the games.

4. Kwame University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

Team KNUST, the evergreen force to reckon with in the history of the games, took the fourth position with 14 gold, 13 silver, and nine bronze medals, for a total of 36 medals.

Tracy Ampah, a second-year student at KNUST, shone brightly as a standout performer, winning the women’s singles title at the games to further solidify her position as both Ghanaian and African Champion after her impressive victory in the women’s singles event at the FASU Games in Lagos, which took place late in 2014.

She expressed her gratitude and excitement to Made In Africa Sport and highlighted her ambition to represent Ghana at the World University Games in Germany, expressing her hope to replicate her success on a larger stage.

“I’m humbled,” Tracy commented. “Winning the Ghana Universities Games tennis women’s singles is a dream come true.”

“As a national and African university champion, I aspire to represent Ghana at the World University Games in July and hope to carry similar results at the higher stage.” she concluded.

5. University of Development Studies (UDS)

Despite being favoured to win the men’s football title, Africa University’s top-ranked team set to represent the continent at the University Football World Cup suffered a semi-final loss to the host, University of Cape Coast.

However, joy was restored when their women’s football team emerged as champions after securing a convincing 5-1 victory over UEW in the women’s final.

Although the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) finished 6th in the overall rankings, Lady Portia Aboagye made history by winning the school’s only gold medal at the 28th edition of the games. Her outstanding performance came in the highly competitive 800m race and also placed third for a bronze medal in the 400m race.

What’s next

For most student-athletes, it is time to engage the Ghana Universities Sports Association to understand what it will take to be on the national team, which will be representing the nation at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany.

Also, the West Africa University Games (WAUG), which are slated less than two months after in September. This zonal game is set to be hosted by the University of Ghana before the next edition of the GUSA Games takes place in January 2026 and hosted by the University of Winneba.

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The 2024 Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Games is set to be hosted by the University of Cape Coast from January 3 to 18, 2025.

In its 28th edition, the biennial games is themed “Oguaa Suapon Ɔkɔrɛ,” which is somewhat translated to inspire both athletes and supporters to cheer and celebrate the unified victories together. It resonates with students, athletes, and universities alike, emphasising the importance of teamwork, cooperation, mutual respect, and fair play.”

The Vice-Chancellor of the host, University of Cape Coast, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, expanded on the theme. He underscored the pivotal role sports play in shaping the minds of individuals and the entire nation.

“Through university sports, we can create a robust framework that integrates athletic prowess with academic achievement, producing well-rounded individuals ready to contribute to the nation’s progress,” he said.

He also added that through university sports, we can create a robust framework that integrates athletic prowess with academic achievement, producing well-rounded individuals ready to contribute to the nation’s progress.

In the remarks of Shaibu Tanko, the President of the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) at the launch of the games, he expressed gratitude to UCC for hosting the 2024 GUSA Games.

“We believe in your capacity to not only deliver and elevate the GUSA experience but also set a new benchmark for years to come,” Tanko said. “Together, let us make these games a truly remarkable celebration of sportsmanship, talent, and unity—a showcase of what we can achieve when we come together with purpose and passion.”

This year’s edition of the GUSA Games brings together nine participating schools across 13 sporting disciplines. Student-athletes will compete in athletics, badminton, volleyball, football, basketball, hockey, handball, netball, tennis, beach volleyball, goalball, and table tennis.

The historical evolution of GUSA and its impact on university sports in Ghana

The idea to form the Ghana University Sports Association (GUSA) was birthed in 1965, when the University of Ghana successfully held a bilateral game with the University of Ibadan in 1964, helping to birth the national-level games, bringing to existence the Ghana Universities Sports Association Games (GUSA) and Nigeria Universities Sports Association Games (NUGA), respectively. 

Later, three universities participated in the maiden West Africa University Games (WAUG), hosted again by the University of Ghana. 

Since its inception, the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) has undergone expansion, transforming from a modest trio of public universities to a network of fifteen member institutions. This growth has been marked by a deliberate effort to embrace diversity, with both public and private universities now represented within the association.

A notable milestone in this journey was the 2013 constitutional amendment, which officially opened GUSA’s doors to private universities, promoting a culture of inclusivity, unity, and healthy competition across Ghana’s higher education landscape.

Remaining vibrant to this day, the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) continues to drive its mission through two primary objectives: hosting biennial games that showcase the athletic prowess of Ghana’s tertiary institutions and representing the nation in esteemed international competitions, including the Unity Games, West African University Games (WAUG), Federation of African University Sports (FASU), and International University Sports Federation (FISU).

As GUSA expands its reach, the vision remains steadfast: to unite tertiary institutions across Ghana and build a culture where sports are an integral part of student life while promoting institutional collaboration and national pride.

The cradle of Ghana’s international athletic stars

The numbers tell a story in Ghana. The majority of athletes who have represented the country internationally, excluding football and para-games, have been champions of school sports.

Ghana's 4×100 men's relay team have secured a spot at the upcoming Paris Olympics after placing first in the heats of the ongoing World Athletics Relay in the Bahamas.#OnuaTV #OnuaSports pic.twitter.com/B1IKrq6JKW

— #OnuaTV (@OnuaTV) June 25, 2024

This underscores school sports’ vital role in identifying and nurturing athletic talent. When Joseph Paul Amoah stormed on the track of Winneba for GUSA Games 2016 and showed flashes in UDS two years later, it was visible to the blind that he was destined to compete beyond the shores of KNUST.

He grew into an unstoppable force, winning gold medals at the African Games in 2019 and 2024 while also becoming the first Ghanaian to win a medal in the 200m at the Commonwealth Games in 48 years when he finished third behind Trinidad’s Jereem Richards and Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes in Birmingham 2022.

Among his medal-winning quartet at the 2024 African Games was Benjamin Azamati, who won the 100m on home soil for the University of Ghana in Legon in the GUSA Games 2020. Alongside Amoah, Azamati teamed up with his fellow GUSA 2020 gold medallist, Issac Botsio from the University of Ghana, and Ibrahim Fuseni from KNUST to fly Ghana’s flag higher at the 2024 World Athletics Relay in the Bahamas by qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics when they finished second in the Olympic qualifying round 4x100m relay.

The GUSA Games has continued to witness an exodus of stars making waves even before leaving the shores of their campus. A trio of University of Ghana students, James Dadzie, Solomon Kweku Hammond, Saminu Abdul Hammond, and Barnabas Agerh of the University of Developmental Studies, dominated the scenes at the Annual International Invitational Relay event in Benin City, Nigeria.

They won four medals in the 4x100m relay, 4x100m mixed relay, 400m, and 200m. Saminu further participated in the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics and qualified for the semifinals after finishing third behind Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs and Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi in round 1 heat 5.

While it’s exhausting to attempt to name-drop every personality who rose to national fame through the GUSA, let’s say that Ghana’s sports history is filled with athletes who have ‘run’ the gamut, ‘kicked’ their way to success, and ‘spiked’ their competition at the GUSA Games.

From track and field to football and beyond, Ghana’s sporting heroes truly ‘scored’ big time, launching their careers from this very platform. Instead of creating an exhaustive (and exhausting!) list, we’ll focus on celebrating the spirit of excellence that continues to inspire us all.

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The festival, in its 22nd edition, is scheduled to take place from 12 to 25 January 2025 in Ogun State, Nigeria.

In a formal communication addressed to the Directors-General and Directors of Sports of all states, obtained by Made In Africa Sport, the Ministry outlined a total of 29 compulsory sports and seven optional sports, bringing the total to 36 sports that will feature at the showpiece event.

The festival, which is set to attract athletes from across the country, will see participants compete in disciplines ranging from athletics and football to deaf sports and para-athletics.

Among the compulsory sports confirmed for the Games are athletics, basketball, football, weightlifting, wrestling, and para sports such as para powerlifting and para table tennis.

Notably, deaf sports will also feature, with participants competing in a selection of no more than three disciplines. Other key sports include the traditional Nigerian sport Dambe, alongside international favourites like taekwondo, gymnastics, and volleyball (indoor).

In addition to the compulsory list, the Ministry has also approved seven optional sports: shooting, golf, darts, ayo, cricket, karate (all styles), and wheelchair basketball. These sports will allow states to tailor their participation based on available talent and resources.

The full list of compulsory sports for the festival includes:

1. Athletics

2. Aquatics

3. Badminton

4. Basketball

5. Beach Volleyball

6. Boxing

7. Chess

8. Cycling

9. Deaf Sports (limited to three disciplines)

10. Football

11. Gymnastics

12. Handball

13. Hockey

14. Judo

15. Karate

16. Kickboxing

17. Kung-Fu

18. Para Athletics

19. Para Powerlifting

20. Para Table Tennis

21. Scrabble

22. Squash

23. Table Tennis

24. Taekwondo

25. Tennis

26. Traditional Sports (Dambe)

27. Volleyball (Indoor)

28. Weightlifting

29. Wrestling

The optional sports are as follows:

1. Shooting

2. Golf

3. Darts

4. Ayo

5. Cricket

6. Karate (All styles)

7. Wheelchair Basketball

Ogun State gears up for 2024 National Sports Festival with major renovations

As Ogun State prepares to host the 2024 Gateway Games, the state government has commenced reconstruction and renovation works on two major sporting complexes: the MKO Abiola International Stadium and the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

Following an inspection of the facilities, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, assured the public that the ongoing renovation works would be completed on schedule. The facilities will be tested ahead of the festival, which will bring together top athletes from across Nigeria.

Key improvements include the scraping of the main stadium pitch, the removal of tartan tracks, and upgrades to the roofing of the indoor hall at the Alake Sports Centre. The VIP section of the MKO Abiola Stadium is also set for expansion, while new facilities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and handball courts, are under construction.

Hon. Isiaka emphasised the Ogun State Government’s commitment to not only developing youth and sports programmes but also creating platforms to discover and nurture young athletes. He noted that the festival would serve as a launchpad for the next generation of talent and reinforce the state’s reputation for producing elite athletes.

The commissioner called on corporate organisations and private individuals to partner with the government in making the festival a success, stating that the event presents an opportunity for the state to showcase its talent, potential, and hospitality. He reiterated that the state’s sports facilities would be of top international standards, capable of hosting future national and international events.

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During a meeting with presidents of various sports federations on Monday, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan, addressed critical issues pertaining to the nation’s preparation and participation in the upcoming event.

Nigeria’s participation will span 25 sports, with eight serving as Olympic qualifiers including athletics, badminton, cycling, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, and wrestling.

Additionally, the country will compete in 15 non-Olympic qualifying sports such as arm wrestling, basketball (3×3), beach volleyball, boxing, chess, cricket, football, and handball. Furthermore, two sports, mixed martial arts, and scrabble, will be demonstrated by Nigerian athletes.

Senator Enoh, during the meeting, urged federation presidents to strive for superior performance compared to the previous African Games held in Morocco.

“I urge you all to give your utmost effort and guide your federations towards achieving exceptional results in Ghana. We bear the responsibility of upholding our nation’s flag and bringing pride to our people.”

The camping sites have been designated in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Gombe, and Bayelsa. Abuja will accommodate athletes participating in athletics, arm wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, rugby, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting, and volleyball.

Lagos will serve as the campsite for beach volleyball, cricket, handball, table tennis, mixed martial arts, and triathlon. Ibadan will host boxing, chess, scrabble, judo, and karate. Bayelsa will cater to the wrestling team, while Gombe will provide facilities for the cycling team.

Nigeria remains the second most successful nation in the history of the Games with a total of 1326 medals won across 12 editions of the Games held every four years.

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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. 

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.

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

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.

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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The newly unveiled pictograms illustrate each of the Olympic and Paralympic sports in a unique coat of arms, paying homage to the complexity of each of these sports and what makes them original.

Each of the 62  Paris  2024 pictograms is a rallying cry and a symbol; a standard that will ignite fans’ pride during the world’s largest sporting event.

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