Abeokuta, Ogun State – It was a golden splash for Team Bayelsa on Day 7 of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Gateway Games 2024, as their swimmers and athletes delivered standout performances that lit up Abeokuta.
Swimming stole the spotlight, with Bayelsa clinching an impressive four gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the third day of the swimming events.
Leading the charge was Dorcas Oka, who dominated the women’s 200m backstroke, powering past her Edo and Rivers counterparts to strike gold. In the men’s 200m backstroke, Beke Williams added to Bayelsa’s tally with a bronze, finishing behind Rivers and Delta in a tightly contested race.
Dorcas Oka doubled down on her brilliance by taking gold again in the 50m women’s freestyle, ahead of Ogun and Delta swimmers. Collins Ebingha followed up with a silver in the men’s 50m freestyle.
In the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay, the quartet of Doutimi Gagbe, Yellow Yeyeh, Agnes John, and Azazi Ayibamieye made a clean sweep, outclassing Edo and Delta States to clinch gold. The momentum continued as Bayelsa’s men’s team struck gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay, edging out hosts Ogun and perennial rivals Delta State.
Track, Field & Beyond: Bayelsa Rising
On the tracks, Team Bayelsa continued its march to glory. Both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay teams qualified for the finals. Hope Aruya soared to gold in the women’s high jump, adding to Bayelsa’s growing medal haul and bringing joy to the state’s supporters.
In para-athletics, Goodness Ojo struck gold in the men’s 100m T37/38 event, while Bayelsa also secured silver in men’s singles tennis.
Over in volleyball, Team Bayelsa’s men’s team booked a spot in the final, showcasing determination and unity. In judo, Selere Mathias claimed gold in the women’s 48kg category.
Meanwhile, in squash, the dynamic duo of Victory Tontonye and Titilayo Akinleye punched their ticket to the female doubles final, adding to Bayelsa’s bright medal prospects.
The Medal Standings: Battle for Supremacy
Despite an impressive run, Bayelsa currently sits second on the medal table after being overtaken by defending champions Delta State.
- 🥇 Delta State – 127 medals (54 Gold, 25 Silver, 48 Bronze)
- 🥈 Bayelsa State – 93 medals (39 Gold, 28 Silver, 26 Bronze)
- 🥉 Ogun State – 81 medals (31 Gold, 20 Silver, 30 Bronze)
- 🔹 Rivers State – 80 medals (28 Gold, 23 Silver, 29 Bronze)
- 🔸 Edo State – 138 total medals (27 Gold, 58 Silver, 53 Bronze) – A surprise leap to 5th after a strong outing in gymnastics and boxing.
With more events still to come, especially in wrestling, taekwondo, and table tennis—sports where Bayelsa traditionally excels—the battle for top honors is far from over.
Bayelsa is surging forward—determined, relentless, and hungry for victory! 🏆🔥
