Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has hailed the impressive performance of Team Edo at the ongoing 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, where the state’s athletes have stormed to the top of the medals table with 17 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze medals.
The Governor, in a statement on Tuesday, described the early lead as a testament to the administration’s deliberate investments in sports development under the SHINE Agenda, which prioritizes youth engagement, talent discovery, and empowerment.
Team Edo’s remarkable showing has been driven by outstanding performances across weightlifting, gymnastics, swimming, and karate. Edo’s female weightlifters stole the spotlight by sweeping all nine gold medals available, with Favour Cornelius (44kg), Esther Amarachi Chijoke (48kg), and Beauty Akpore (53kg) securing three gold medals each.
In gymnastics, Wisdom Ikede dazzled with three individual gold medals, while teammates Aliu Solomon and Ocheke Excel added gold and silver, respectively. Swimming sensation Tissa Precious grabbed two gold medals in the 50m freestyle, alongside a silver from the 4x100m relay team. Edo’s karate star, Desmond Izevbuwa Eroirewaen, also struck gold in the 50kg male kumite.
Governor Okpebholo noted that the achievements go beyond medals, reflecting the new energy in Edo’s sports ecosystem. “This victory is proof that sports, when properly harnessed, is not only about winning but also about building character, instilling discipline, and shaping the future of our youth,” he said.
He congratulated the athletes, coaches, and officials for their dedication and resilience, assuring them of the government’s continued support. He further emphasized that Edo State is reclaiming its place as a powerhouse in Nigerian sports, thanks to sustained grassroots development, facility upgrades, and structured training support.
“As the Games continue across 37 sporting categories in Asaba, we are confident Team Edo will build on this momentum and bring more glory to our state,” the Governor added.
Governor Okpebholo also reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly road construction, as part of the SHINE Agenda to boost mobility, open up communities, and stimulate economic activities across the state.
