The National Sports Festival concluded on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with tennis emerging as a standout event, according to Engineer Ifedayo Akindoju, President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).
The two-week spectacle, organized by the National Sports Commission, featured a range of sports including tennis, football, karate, wrestling, weightlifting, hockey, cycling, and athletics.
The tennis events wrapped up on Thursday with thrilling doubles competitions, including Women’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Mixed Doubles, and team events. Speaking at the closing ceremony, NTF President Akindoju expressed his delight with the level of participation, hailing tennis as one of the best sports showcased at the Gateway Games. “Fantastic games, thank God for the weather, but ultimately it was a well-competed event,” he said. “Tennis, of course, is one game that has a lot of players that are very calm. We didn’t see any case of unruly attitude; generally, the level of play was very high. I am very happy with what I saw.”
In the results, Bayelsa’s David Ekpeyong and Uche Oparaoji claimed gold in Men’s Doubles, while Ogun’s Christopher Bulus and Aleem Azeez took silver. Bronze medals went to Rivers State’s Abua Canice and Mohammed Musa, and FCT’s Abubakar Yusuf and Sunday Emmanuel.
In Women’s Doubles, Delta State’s Quadri Barakat and Akingbade Ronke secured gold, with Horzendorff Lorelay and Omotayo Blessing earning silver. Bronze was shared by Emmanuel Bright and Aina Goodnews, and Ozurumba Oluchi and Eze Chidinma.
The Mixed Doubles saw Quadri Barakat team up with Iloputa Ikechukwu to win her fourth gold medal of the festival, while Christopher Bulus and Yakubu Ohunene took silver. Bronze went to Edo’s Omotayo Blessing and Michael Chima, and Ekiti State’s Adeleye Daniel and Ogunjobi Success.
Delta State dominated the overall standings, defending their title from two years ago in Asaba with 337 medals: 126 gold, 100 silver, and 111 bronze. Ogun State, the host, finished second with 93 gold, 65 silver, and 80 bronze, followed by Bayelsa State in third with 92 gold, 65 silver, and 71 bronze. Rivers State placed fourth with 76 gold, 58 silver, and 65 bronze, while Edo State rounded out the top five with 73 gold, 101 silver, and 119 bronze. A total of 2,139 medals were awarded, comprising 633 gold, 624 silver, and 882 bronze.
Enugu State is set to host the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival in September 2026.