Edo 2020 Sports Festival was the 20th edition of the Nigerian National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sport event organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Sports Commission for athletes from the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.[1]

History

The National Sports Festival was first held in 1973 in Lagos State. The festival has always been celebrated with the aim of fostering unity and harnessing talents in the different states of Nigeria.

The festival is also known to be called Nigerias version of the Olympic Games. The festival for 2020 was the 20th edition of the competition and it was hosted at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.[2]

Festival activities

The National Sport Festival tagged Asaba 2022 was scheduled to hold from April 4, 2020, to April 15, 2020.[3]

The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, opened the festival by encouraging athletes to put in their best during the tournament.

The official Mascot for this year's event is Erin which means "strength" in the Edo language.[4]

As part of the opening event, Nigerian musician Timi Dakolo performed one of his hit songs titled One Nation. More than 10,000 athletes are expected during the festival.

Host selection

Edo state was awarded the hosting right for the 20th edition after the 19th edition of the competition came to an end in Abuja. This was announced by the Minister of Sport, Barrister Solomon Dalung.[5]

Tournament medal table

At the end of the 20th edition, team Delta topped the medal table winning 158 gold medal, 116 silver medals and 110 bronze medals.[6][7]

Team Edo came second and this was closely followed by Team Bayelsa who came third at the end of the festival.[8][9]

Final Medals Standing
StatesGoldSilverBronzeTotalPosition
Delta1581161103841st
Edo1291041083412nd
Bayelsa5655581693rd
Rivers3334611284th
Lagos3240541265th
Oyo3130421036th
Akwa Ibom202444887th
Ogun162339788th
Kano112233669th
Imo1013264910th
Ondo109254411th
Cross River96153012th
Plateau813163713th
Abia712123114th
Kwara76314415th
FCT615163716th
Anambra68213517th
Kaduna45192818th
Nasarawa43121919th
Bauchi3361220th
Niger3271221st
Enugu313722nd
Ekiti2381323rd
Borno2351024th
Osun152825th
Ebonyi1361026th
Kogi135927th
Gombe117928th
Benue111329th
Zamfara102330th
Jigawa100131st
Yobe052732nd
Kastina0471133rd
Kebbi015634th
Adamawa001135th
Sokoto003336th
Taraba000237th
Total5775748141965

References

  1. "Memories made of Edo 2020 National Sports Festival". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-05-10. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  2. "EDO 2020 Delta Wins National Sports Festival for Keeps, to Host Next Edition – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  3. "National Sports Festival set to hold from April 4 in Edo State". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  4. "Dakolo performs at opening ceremony". Punch Newspapers. 2021-04-07. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  5. Alao, Seyi (2018-12-19). "Edo state promises to host best National Sports Festival in 2020". Latest Sports News In Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  6. "EDO 2020 Delta Wins National Sports Festival for Keeps, to Host Next Edition – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  7. "Final medals table for NSF Edo 2020". thisnigeria.com. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  8. "Delta emerge winners of National Sports Festival". Punch Newspapers. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  9. Anyanwu, Samuel (2021-04-08). "EDO 2020 Games Medals Table: Delta State leading in Sports Festival". Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
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