2025 NYG Day 7: Team Edo Shines, Crowned Gymnastics Champions

Posted : 06 September 2025

As the 9th National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba enters its final stages, Team Edo has continued its strong showing, claiming gold medals in both boxing and athletics on Thursday to solidify its status as one of the leading contenders for this year’s crown.

At St. Patrick’s College, Edo’s young boxers impressed in the ring. Abdulmalik Lawal captured gold in the 42kg male category after defeating his Kogi opponent, while Delta and Kwara settled for bronze. Lanre Adebayo added another gold in the 44kg male category, with Abia taking silver and Bayelsa and Enugu sharing bronze.

At the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Jessica Ughele dominated in deaf athletics, sprinting to victory in the 400m female race ahead of Rivers (silver) and Lagos (bronze). She also earned silver in the 200m, finishing behind Kwara (gold), while Lagos clinched bronze.

In cricket, Edo’s male T20 team defeated Oyo in the semi-finals but fell to Imo in the final, taking home silver. The female team, however, finished fourth after a loss to Ebonyi.

The Taolu (Wushu Kung Fu) category also saw Edo athletes on the podium. Favour Eboigbe won silver in the female event behind Delta (gold), with FCT and Anambra sharing bronze. In the male category, Alufa Godstime earned bronze, while Lagos and Bayelsa secured gold and silver respectively.

In female football, Edo defeated Ogun 6–5 on penalties after a goalless draw in the third-place playoff at St. Patrick’s College to claim bronze.

Meanwhile, Edo was officially crowned Gymnastics Champions, finishing with 6 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze—ahead of Lagos (4 gold) and Delta.

Speaking on Edo’s performance, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, credited the state’s grassroots sports policy. He noted that Edo fielded some of the youngest athletes in the competition, focusing on talent discovery rather than athlete poaching.

“We have athletes as young as seven and eight years old. They are not under pressure to win; rather, they are here to learn, grow, and gain exposure,” Enabulele said.

He urged the National Sports Commission to reconsider grading systems that put undue pressure on young athletes, suggesting instead a focus on development and long-term nurturing, similar to practices in the United States.

Enabulele also revealed that Edo plans to roll out a grassroots sports development program across secondary schools and to construct mini-stadia in all 18 local government areas to strengthen sports infrastructure.

2025 NYG Day 7: Team Edo Shines, Crowned Gymnastics Champions

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