ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North and Chancellor of the Sports University of Nigeria, has congratulated Team Delta for their exceptional performance at the just-concluded Gateway Games 2024, where the state clinched its fifth consecutive National Sports Festival title.
The festival, which ended on Thursday, brought together more than 10,000 athletes competing in 549 events, serving as a vibrant showcase of talent and resilience from every region of Nigeria. Team Delta dominated the medal table with 98 gold, 66 silver, and 80 bronze medals, finishing far ahead of their nearest rivals, Bayelsa and Ogun States.
Commending the athletes, Senator Nwoko hailed the victory as a reflection of the determination and innate resilience of Nigerian youth.
“Our athletes have proven once again that talent abounds in every corner of this country. What we must now do is ensure that talent is not wasted. It must be nurtured, trained, and prepared long before competitions like this,” he said.
The Senator stressed the need to institutionalize sports development through structured year-round training, early identification of athletes, and comprehensive talent development programmes if Nigeria is to succeed beyond local events.
“Winning at home is great, but our ambition should be global. That means deliberate and structured preparation, not last-minute fire brigade approaches. We must start preparing our athletes for tomorrow, today,” he said.
As Chancellor of the Sports University of Nigeria, Nwoko reiterated the institution’s commitment to providing advanced training, research, and collaboration in sports science and development.
“The doors of the Sports University remain open to young athletes, coaches, and stakeholders for training, partnership, and continuous improvement. We are building an ecosystem that doesn’t just celebrate wins, we create winners,” he added.
While Delta State celebrates yet another milestone in sports, Senator Nwoko called on sports administrators across Nigeria to adopt a more proactive and grassroots-driven model for talent discovery and development.
