Team Lagos shone brightly at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, sealing a dramatic 5–4 penalty shootout win over hosts Team Delta to clinch the girls’ football gold medal. Delta missed their first kick in the shootout, and Lagos held their nerve, converting all their spot-kicks as delegates, led by Director General Lekan Fatodu, celebrated the triumph.

It marked the fifth title for Lagos in the female football category, while their boys’ team claimed bronze after beating Bayelsa 2–0 in the third-place playoff.

Lagos’ medal tally swelled further with victories in volleyball and boxing. Both volleyball teams won their finals by 3–1 margins. The boys rallied from a first-set loss to edge Bayelsa 21–25, 26–24, 25–13, 29–27, while the girls overcame Kaduna 25–13, 21–25, 25–7, 25–9.

In boxing, another strong showing with three gold medals and one silver. Balogun Khadijat triumphed in the 38kg female category, Ramon Quam won in the 40kg male division, and Agboola Oyindamola struck gold in the female ranks. Idowu Adebayo added silver in the 40kg female category.

Editorial

We see Lagos’ triumph at the 9th National Youth Games as the product of resilience, planning, and a culture of winning. The girls’ football side’s composure in penalties underlined a mental strength that has become the state’s hallmark. To achieve a fifth title in this category confirms that dominance is no accident.

The story did not end there. From the volleyball courts to the boxing ring, Lagos showed the breadth of its talent pool. These victories speak volumes about the depth of youth development structures in the state, where emphasis is not limited to football but spread across multiple disciplines.

We should take pride in how Lagos athletes performed under pressure. Whether it was overturning an early setback in volleyball or claiming multiple boxing golds, each win was a reminder of the determination that defines the state’s athletes.

As medal tallies rise, it is clear that Lagos’ investment in sports continues to pay dividends. If sustained, these young champions will not only dominate the NYG but will grow into future stars for Nigeria on the continental and global stage.

Did You Know?

1. 
   
2. The National Youth Games (NYG) were first staged in 2013, designed to unearth grassroots sporting talent across Nigeria.
   
   
3. Team Lagos’ five girls’ football titles make them one of the most successful sides in the competition’s history.
   
   
4. The NYG has been a springboard for athletes who later represented Nigeria at the African Games and even the Olympic Games.
   
   
5. Delta State, despite losing the girls’ football final, remains the most consistent overall performer in the NYG, often topping medal tables.
   
   
6. Volleyball at the NYG follows the FIVB rally-point system, with matches typically decided in best-of-five sets.