Nigeria, April 7 -- Bayelsa State has taken a slim but significant lead over Delta State in the intense medal battle at the ongoing Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) in Uyo.

As the multi-sport event nears its final day, Bayelsa sits atop the medal table.

As at close of action on Sunday 6 April, Bayelsa athletes had amassed an impressive 36 gold, 20 silver, and 12 bronze medals, totaling 68 overall-just edging out close rivals Delta State whose athletes have 35 gold, 20 silver, and 23 bronze, for a festival-high 78 medals in total.

Trailing behind the two front-runners is Rivers State with 17 gold medals. Rivers is followed by Edo State, whose athletes have shown consistency across events, earning 12 gold alongside a high number of sil...