17th NSF: Rivers Takes Early Lead

Lagos and Kaduna state wrestlers took to the mat, yesterday at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt

As the 17th National Sports Festival, tagged Garden City Games 2011 enters its sixth day, the host, Rivers has taken an early lead with a total of 20 medals garnered so far.

Results so far released by the organisers of the epoch making event indicate that among the participating 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that are locking horns at the games. 20 states were yet to record any medal on the table.

As at press time, Rivers State was in pole position with 11 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals, while the defending champions, Delta State also has a total of 20 medals but with 6 gold, 6 silver and 8 bronze medals.

The third in line is Akwa Ibom State with a total of 11 medals, just as Ogun State. But unlike Ogun, Akwa Ibom had 5 gold and 6 bronze medals, while Ogun recorded only one gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals.

Other states which garned medals so far include Edo, Imo, Cross Rivers, Lagos, Bayelsa, Kaduna, Niger, Kano, Anambra, Ondo and Nasarawa states, with the FCT recording a total of 6 medals. It is interesting to note that Akwa Ibom State received all her 5 gold medals in  weightlifting, followed closely by Rivers State which grabbed two gold medals in that event as against one each by Delta and Cross River State.

The competition continues today when surprises are expected to be sprung on the sports enthusiasts by the athletes, most of whom express satisfaction with the organisers of the games.