By Nelly Robinson

Delta State have again retained the championship of the National Youth Games, NYG in Ilorin after winning the past four editions, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The 104 medals garnered by the State contingent gave the Team this lead of the championship back to back as the second placed Lagos in the last edition maintained the seat on the log with an increased number in medals to 72

Bayelsa are the third place winners with 45 medals at the festival hosted by the University of Ilorin.

Declaring the ceremony closed Permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Olusade Adesola pointed out the outstanding inputs by the various sectors which have made the event a success thus far ” on behalf of the Hon. Minister Youths and sports, we want to draw the curtain on NYG 2019″, a representative of the minister said.

Similarly, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak said sports could be a means of Nigeria projecting soft power to the world if the local talents are properly developed and motivated.

“It’s my hope that the government at all levels should develop a sectoral plan strategy to transform sports into an industry that empowers our teeming youths for social and economic development.

“All of you are winners. The fact that you all came here from across the country shows your efforts to win,” he added.

He pledged to make the event better next year, including ensuring that the state contingent performs better.

Responding to press men questions on modalities that have made Delta maintain steady increase in sports development, the Chairman Delta state sports Council Hon. Tony Okowa gave insight on the State governors activities as it concerned sports and their youth “We will keep working hard, all it takes is work hard and pray and our Governor is always parting us on the back” Okowa stated.

His Lagos state counterpart says “it’s a pride to us that we have such a number of young athletes projecting Nigeria already and we will see to it they maintain and increase where they need to work hard as we go back to Lagos”

A total number of 178 gold was won, 177 silver and 237 bronze medals were recorded with all totalling 592 medals.