By Aderonke Ojo

Enugu State has emerged the overall winner of the just concluded 3rd National Para Games in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outstanding performance saw Enugu secure 40 gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals, for a total of 55 medals.

Bayelsa finished in second position with 25 gold, 30 silver and 34 bronze medals, amassing the highest total medal count of 89.

Edo claimed third place with 25 gold, 14 silver and 12 bronze medals, totalling 51.

Rivers was placed fourth with 21 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals (59 total), while Lagos State finished fifth with 20 gold, 23 silver and 20 bronze medals, bringing their total to 63.

In sixth position, Abia recorded nine gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze medals (43 total), followed by Plateau in seventh place with eight gold, six silver and 14 bronze medals, totalling 28.

Osun came eighth with three gold, six silver and seven bronze medals (16 total), while Adamawa State secured ninth place with three gold, three silver and two bronze medals, totalling eight.

Kwara completed the top 10 with two gold, seven silver and 11 bronze medals, totalling 20.

Other states that featured in the medal table included Cross River (2 gold, 5 silver, 11 bronze – 18 total), Ondo (2 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze – 13 total).

Katsina (2 gold, 1 silver, 8 bronze – 11 total), and Kano (1 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze – 11 total).

Niger recorded one gold, three silver and one bronze medal (5 total), while Bauchi State secured one gold, two silver and nine bronze medals (12 total).

Ekiti finished with one gold, two silver and five bronze medals (8 total), and Benue State recorded one gold, one silver and three bronze medals (5 total).

Kaduna State did not win any gold medal but secured two silver and six bronze medals (8 total).

The host, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), finished with two silver and four bronze medals, total six.

Jigawa recorded one silver and two bronze medals (3 total), while Kogi and Zamfara each finished with one silver and one bronze medal (2 total apiece). Kebbi and Taraba recorded one bronze medal each.

Meanwhile, several states failed to win any medal at the games. These include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Gombe, Imo, Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo, Sokoto and Yobe.

The 2026 edition of the National Para Games showcased remarkable talent and determination from athletes across the federation, further highlighting the growing development of para sports in Nigeria.

NAN reports that a total of 15 para sports were played: Para Athletics, Para Cycling, Para Karate, Para Taekwondo, Para Powerlifting, Para Badminton and Para Table Tennis.

Others were Amputee Football, Para Volleyball, Para Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, Para Shooting, Para Canoeing and Para Soccer.

The games commenced on March 26 and ended on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh