Sports
Eko 2012: Delta, Rivers, Others Celebrate Victories
As curtains were drawn on the 18th National Sports Festival, NSF, tagged Eko 2012, on Sunday there were many celebrants celebrating different shade of overall victory at the Games.
Delta State, which garnered a total of 116 golds, 97 silver and 75 bronze medals to win the sports fiesta were in triumphant mood as it savoured the recapture of the sports festival title.
The contingent was joined by the state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan for a thanksgiving service in Lagos before the closing ceremony on Sunday.
According to the Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Hon. Fred Igwe, Team Rivers did very well to finish second considering all the unfair treatment and outright victimization it suffered at the fiesta. Also, the fact that the state produced the meet’s fastest man to claim the 100 metres gold medal which he described as the king of athletics, was a cause for celebration.
He was full of commendation for the spirit and performance of Team Rivers.
Similarly, host sate, Lagos was celebrating its triumph in the football event.
Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola had declared during the closing ceremony that is state beat others to the most popular medals, the men’s and women’s football gold and deserved to be recommended.
Other states, such as Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, among others were happy with themselves.
Some of the attendants who spoke in separate interviews said that they had not enjoyed such sales in recent times.
Sales Manager of S.O.O. and Bros Ltd., Arinze Okoli, said they had not enjoyed such sales in the last two years and lauded the Lagos State Government for staging such a memorable festival.
“We have not made good sales in the last two years as we had it during the festival. And it was very encouraging for our business,” Okoli said.
Sales Manager of VCN Sports Plaza, Kingsley Nwanosike, said that his company recorded a huge increase in sales, with a lot of customers besieging their shops to demand for various sports items.
“We recorded a significant increase in our sales; the patronage was very high because many people who came for the festival purchased some of their sports items from us,”he said.
A sales girl with Sebob Sports Ltd., Chioma Anyanwu, said that they made up to N100,000 daily from their sales during the 14-day fiesta.
“The festival had a positive impact on our business; we always made daily sales close to N100, 000 and above throughout the period of the festival,” she said.
The festival, tagged “Eko 2012,” which started on November 27, ended on December 9.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.