The second edition of the National Darts Championship, has ended in Umuahia with Abia State emerging the overall champion after securing three gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Abia recorded the feat ahead of the six other participating states to claim the overall title in the second edition of the National Darts Dompetition.
Rivers State finished second with two gold, one silver and three bronze medals, while Edo State came third with two gold and three bronze medals.
Oyo State placed fourth with one gold and two bronze medals, followed by Enugu State in fifth position with two silver and two bronze medals. Imo State finished sixth with two silver medals, while Delta State came seventh with two bronze medals.
The impressive performance by Abia’s athletes highlighted the state’s dominance at the championship, with Nnamdi Ukaegbu, Evans Ononikpo, Chinecherem Jacop, Uchechi Brown, and Chigozie Adigo among the medal winners.
In the men’s 501 singles event, Nnamdi Ukaegbu clinched the gold medal, while his teammate, Evans Ononikpo, secured silver to give Abia a one-two finish in the event.
The duo of Ukaegbu and Ononikpo also won gold medals in the men’s 501 doubles event, further strengthening Abia’s position at the top of the medal table.
In the TDB mixed doubles event, Chinecherem Jacop and Uchechi Brown won a silver medal for the state.
Similarly, Chigozie Adigo and Uchechi Brown secured bronze medals in the women’s 501 doubles event, adding to Abia’s medal haul at the competition.
Abia’s overall victory at the championship underscores the state’s strong showing in the sport and the contributions of its athletes to its success at the national competition.
The championship, organised by the Abia State Government in conjunction with the Darts Federation of Nigeria, attracted athletes from 13 states and clubs across the country, providing a platform for talent discovery, competitive development and the promotion of darts in Nigeria.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held on Saturday, October 18, 2026, the President of the Darts Federation of Nigeria, Mr. Awolola Adeyemi, applauded Abia State Governor for hosting the championship, describing the competition as an opportunity to showcase the state’s capacity to support sports and encourage emerging talents.
He disclosed that 13 states and clubs participated in the tournament, expressing optimism that the number would increase at the next edition.
Mr. Adeyemi said the competition has enabled participating athletes and officials to experience the hospitality of Abia State firsthand.
“Before we came here, we had been seeing what Abia State looked like on television and social media. But now we have come, we have seen and we have tasted,” he said.
He described Abia as a state worthy of recognition and appreciated the government for providing athletes from different parts of the country with an opportunity to compete.
Mr. Adeyemi further commended the state government and sports administrators for their contributions to sports development, noting that sporting activities could help young people discover their abilities and channel their energies into productive ventures.
He added that investment in sports could contribute to crime prevention by providing young people with constructive opportunities to develop their talents
Also the South East Zonal Coordinator of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Bernard Ezema, commended the Abia State Government and the organisers for providing a platform for athletes to demonstrate their abilities.
Chief Ezema said the championship represents an important step towards improving the standard of Darts in Nigeria, urging sports administrators to sustain efforts to develop athletes and prepare them for national and international competitions. He emphasised the mental demands of the sport, noting that concentration and emotional stability were essential qualities for success.
The zonal coordinator, who commended the performances recorded during the championship, said more needed to be done to ensure that athletes were adequately prepared to meet the standards required for higher-level competitions.
He also praised the technical directors, coaches and officials for their efforts in maintaining standards during the tournament, expressing hope that the competition would continue to grow and attract more participants in subsequent editions.
In his remarks, the Director of Sports, Abia State, Comrade George Obioma, congratulated the athletes on participating in the championship and urged them to remain committed to their sporting careers.
He noted that although only a few participants would emerge as champions, every athlete stood to gain valuable experience from the competition.
“Participation is the key,” Obioma said, encouraging the players to see the championship as an opportunity to improve their skills, build relationships and learn from other competitors.
Comrade George commended the Abia State Governor for creating an environment that encourages sporting activities and appreciated participants from across the country.
He said the state’s hospitality reflects the cultural values of her people and expressed satisfaction with the participation of athletes and officials in the championship.
Contributing, the Chairman of the Abia State Darts Association, Mr. Emmanuel Aguiyi, thanked God for the successful completion of the championship and appreciated the athletes, coaches, technical officials and organisers for their contributions.
Mr. Aguiyi described the athletes as the centre of the competition, noting that the championship would not have been possible without their participation and commitment, and commended them for displaying discipline, sportsmanship and cooperation throughout the event.
He appreciated the contributions of the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and the Director of Sports towards the organisation of the championship, expressing gratitude to the Abia State Government for its support for sports development.
Some participants at the championship expressed satisfaction with their performances, describing the tournament as an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and advance their sporting careers.
Abia State athlete Goodluck Ukaegbu said he was delighted with his performance and the opportunity to compete before fellow athletes and sports administrators.
He disclosed that he had represented Abia State in sporting competitions since 2009, adding that his participation in the championship was another opportunity to demonstrate his experience and commitment.
He further expressed optimism about the future of Darts in Nigeria, noting that the sport could attract greater recognition if awareness and participation continued to increase.
Another participant, Inspector Grace Williams, representing Oyo State, expressed gratitude to God for her victory, describing it as a reward for her dedication and commitment to training.
The Inspector explained that combining her responsibilities as a police officer with her sporting career required discipline, sacrifice and effective time management.
The championship, which concluded with the presentation of medals, trophies and cash prizes to outstanding participants in the various categories attracted many dignitaries and sports enthusiasts across the country.
