ASABA:Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has placed the Delta state sports commission under the spotlight following Team Delta’s surprising second-place finish at the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) held in Asaba.
Long celebrated as the undisputed powerhouse of the NYG, Delta’s slip behind Lagos in the medal table has drawn widespread criticism and prompted calls for urgent reforms.
Since the inception of the National Youth Games in 2013, Delta has been the competition’s benchmark, winning the overall title on multiple occasions and producing future stars for Team Nigeria.
From the early triumphs in Ilorin to their emphatic victories in Benin City and Asaba, the state has built a legacy of excellence that few others could challenge.
For instance, at the 2021 and 2022 editions, Delta not only topped the medal table but did so by wide margins, reinforcing its reputation as the cradle of grassroots sports in Nigeria. In 2023, the state again finished in first place, underscoring a decade of near-total dominance.
Against that backdrop, the 2025 outcome was a sharp and painful departure from the norm, one that Governor Oborevwori has described as unacceptable.
In response, Oborevwori demoted his Executive Assistant on Sports, Mr. Festus Owhojero, to Senior Special Assistant, making him the first casualty of what the governor called “a failure of leadership and planning.
During an emergency meeting with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and sports commission officials, the governor reportedly expressed shock that, despite significant investment, Delta failed to defend its crown on home soil.
The outcome does not reflect our capacity, history, or the resources we deployed, Oborevwori said, stressing that the performance fell short of the standards Delta has set for itself over the years.
Sports observers note that Lagos, which emerged overall winner in Asaba, capitalised on years of steady investment in grassroots programmes, talent scouting, and better coordination.
While Delta appeared to rest on its laurels, Lagos brought innovation and hunger, culminating in their first-ever NYG title.
The shift has sparked conversations about whether Delta has grown complacent after years of dominance, while rivals have quietly closed the gap.
Determined to reverse the setback, Oborevwori has directed officials to produce a comprehensive report outlining the failures that led to the defeat. This, he said, would serve as the foundation for reforms to restore Delta’s pride.
The governor reminded stakeholders that Delta signed a memorandum of understanding to host future editions of the NYG, insisting that such responsibility must be matched with both organisational excellence and athletic dominance.
Delta has always set the pace, and we will do so again. This setback will not define us—it will strengthen us, he assured.
For Delta, sporting excellence is more than medals it is a tradition, a rallying point for state pride, and a pipeline for future Olympians.
Names like Ese Brume, Blessing Okagbare, and Stephen Mozia all trace their beginnings to Delta’s grassroots programmes, which flourished under consistent government support.
By falling short in Asaba 2025, the state not only lost a trophy but also risked eroding the aura that has made it the “sports capital of Nigeria.
As the dust settles, attention is turning to whether Oborevwori’s administration can implement reforms quickly enough to return Delta to the summit.
Stakeholders are calling for greater accountability, stronger grassroots investment, and stricter monitoring of preparation funds.
For many, the memory of Delta’s past glories remains a reminder that the state can—and must bounce back.
The big question is whether the lessons of 2025 will ignite a renewed drive for dominance or mark the beginning of a shift in Nigeria’s sporting landscape.
