By Kennedy Onwunali
Team Imo concluded its campaign at the second edition of the Niger Delta Games with an improved performance, amassing 31 medals — five gold, eight silver and 18 bronze — to better its four-gold outing at the maiden edition in Uyo.
The Eastern Heartland athletes showed marked progress across team and individual events, with volleyball and handball leading the charge.
Blessing Ukaoha set the tone in athletics, winning gold in the Girls Discus with a throw of 35.81m. Martin Awunezi added to the tally with a gold medal in the Men’s 65kg Para-Powerlifting event, lifting 155kg. The state’s female handball team emerged champions in commanding fashion, while both the male and female volleyball teams secured gold to reaffirm Imo’s dominance in the sport.
In the silver category, Ukaoha also claimed a medal in the Shot Put, Esther Ogbuga finished second in the Girls 5000m (19:25.28), and Ifechukwu Esther Nwankwo won silver in the Girls 400m Hurdles (62.24s). Eugenia Chioma Enwere secured silver in the Women’s 45kg Para-Powerlifting event, Victory Maduabuchi placed second in the Boys 65kg Weightlifting, while Joseph Obugo clinched silver in the Boys 100m Backstroke. Odinaka Okorie earned silver in the Girls 51kg boxing event, and Favour Agaziem added another in the Girls 42kg Traditional Wrestling category.
Team Imo’s bronze medals reflected depth across disciplines. Gerald Ukandu won bronze in the Boys Discus (32.69m).
In Para-Powerlifting, Cletus Iwuoha (72kg), Chinyere Obianuju (86+kg) and Ugochukwu Maryjane (67kg) secured podium finishes. Victory Maduabuchi also claimed bronze in weightlifting. Swimming produced two bronze medals through Joseph Obugo (50m Backstroke) and Toke Godgift (200m Individual Medley). In boxing, Joseph Ezeanaeche (65kg) and Ebere Tehundjo Nwoko (70kg) finished third.
Traditional Wrestling recorded bronze medals from Christogonus Umeyor (62kg), Onyedikachi Okoli (70kg) and Favour Ginika (65kg). The Boys Basketball Team, the Male Football Team and taekwondo athlete Wisdom Metu (-58kg) also secured bronze medals.
In tennis, Chimaobi Onuegbu and Favour Lucky won bronze in the Mixed Doubles, while Favour Lucky and Ngozi Nwosu claimed bronze in the Girls Doubles. Chimaobi Onuegbu and Chinaemerem Onuegbu completed the podium sweep with bronze in the Boys Doubles.
Observers noted that beyond the medal count, the Games provided a valuable platform for talent discovery and development. Stakeholders have therefore urged sustained investment in coaching education, athlete preparation and modern facilities to consolidate the gains recorded in Benin City and position Team Imo for greater success at future editions.
