Abia State has recorded its best outing yet at the National Youth Games, finishing in 6th place overall on the medal table; a remarkable leap forward in the history of the competition.
At the just-concluded Games, Team Abia clinched a total of 37 medals, comprising 12 gold, 16 silver, and 9 bronze, surpassing last year’s tally of 31 medals (7 gold, 12 silver, and 12 bronze), which placed the state in 10th position.
The Director of Sports, Abia State, Comrade Obioma George, hailed the achievement as a historic milestone for the state.
“This is the best result Abia has recorded since the National Youth Games began nine years ago. To God alone be all the glory. Our athletes have shown resilience, passion, and excellence,” he said.
Comrade Obioma also expressed gratitude to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for his genuine commitment to sports development, especially at the grassroots level, stressing that such support will have a lasting impact on the youth.
Some of the brightest sparks for Abia came from athletics, gymnastics, and combat sports.
In athletics, Abia’s sprinters dominated the track, with the state securing multiple medals in the 100m and relay events.
In gymnastics, the young team dazzled judges with skillful routines that earned gold and silver finishes.
In combat sports, particularly taekwondo and wrestling, Abia’s athletes proved formidable, climbing the podium after hard-fought victories.
One of the highlights of the Games was the outstanding performance of 14-year-old sprinter, who stormed to gold in her event and has been tipped as a rising star to watch in Nigerian athletics.
Sports enthusiasts in Abia have described the outing as clear evidence that the state’s investment in grassroots sports development is beginning to yield dividends.
They noted that the improved ranking should inspire even greater commitment toward nurturing young talents who can represent Abia and Nigeria on bigger stages.
With this record-breaking performance, Abia has firmly announced its arrival as a force to reckon with in Nigerian youth sports.
