Edo 2020 National Sports Festival Comes To An End
After two weeks of competition in some of the best sports facilities in the West Africa sub-region, the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival in Benin, Edo State, came to an end today.
The Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, along with other venues have adorned festive moods in readiness for the grand finale, which will be done by Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo.
There was a lovely rendition of the National Anthem by a musical group which captivated the spectators, as well as other beautiful melodies.
A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem #Edo2020 #NSF2020 pic.twitter.com/mxACtJRsWw
— National Sports Festival 2020 (@nsf_edo) April 14, 2021
Ah ahnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn . No be small thing. #Edo2020 #NSF2020 pic.twitter.com/lINnTEmgXc
— National Sports Festival 2020 (@nsf_edo) April 14, 2021
Security was tightened in and around the city in readiness for the visit to the state by some dignitaries, just as the stage for a musical festival, which is part of the closing ceremony has been set.
All athletes came to the closing ceremony wearing their accreditation tags and there was no restriction on the number of athletes and officials admitted into the stadium, officials said.
Watch the closing ceremony of the 20th National Sports Festival live on Facebook https://t.co/HOmbwdVd9w #Edo2020 #NSF2020 pic.twitter.com/7moAd3IKCC
— National Sports Festival 2020 (@nsf_edo) April 14, 2021
The closing ceremony lasted for just three hours from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The finals of the relay races, mixed relays, 4 x 100m and 4x400m for men and women, are part of the closing ceremony.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare, and Edo State’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who also doubles as the chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), spoke during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, defending champions, Team Delta, retained its crown and were the first to win the new festival trophy.
Delta had 158 gold medals, 116 silver and 110 bronze medals for a total of 384 medals.Delta were followed by hosts, Edo, which got 129 gold medals, 104 silver and 108 bronze medals for a total of 341.
Third-placed Bayelsa got 56 gold medals, 55 silver and 58 bronze medals for a total of 169.
Watch the closing ceremony of the 20th National Sports Festival live on Facebook https://t.co/HOmbwdVd9w #Edo2020 #NSF2020 pic.twitter.com/7moAd3IKCC
— National Sports Festival 2020 (@nsf_edo) April 14, 2021
The Medals Table