Team Bayelsa has surged ahead in the medal standings at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival, popularly known as the Gateway Games, hosted across various venues in Ogun State, including the capital city, Abeokuta.
Bayelsa currently leads with a total haul of nine medals, comprising six gold, two silver, and one bronze.
Trailing closely behind, Oyo State has secured three medals—one gold, one silver, and one bronze—while Lagos State follows with a more substantial medal count of ten, including three gold, four silver, and three bronze medals.
Interestingly, Cross River State, which held the top position after day two with three gold medals, has now slipped to fourth place, maintaining their gold count but overtaken by others. Rivers State rounds out the top five, adding two gold, three silver, and one bronze medal to their tally.
The Invited Junior Athletes, considered the 38th state for the competition, have made a remarkable impact by securing two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, placing them sixth overall.
Defending champions Delta State, winners of the last four editions, have yet to make a significant mark this year and currently sit seventh with one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.
To date, the festival has awarded a total of 71 medals—23 gold, 23 silver, and 25 bronze. The competition intensifies on Wednesday with key medal events scheduled in weightlifting, women’s badminton, squash, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, and volleyball across venues such as the MKO Abiola Sports Complex and the Alake Sports Complex.
The festival continues to be a vibrant showcase of athletic talent from across the nation.
