After nine days of battle in the 4th edition of the Nigeria Private Universities Games, tagged “OGHARA 2011.”, two students of Western Delta University (WDU), Daisy Akpofa and Vivian Abati, emerged joint top winners with four gold medals each, just as Bishop Idahosa University (BIU), topped the medals table with 39 gold, 23 silver and 17 bronze.

Apart from producing the two star athletes, Western Delta University also created record by winning 12 gold, three silver and one bronze in athletics event, including all four relay events. The institution however finished second behind BIU in the overall medals table with 24 gold, 31 silver and 32 bronze.

Igbinadion University, Okada, finished third with 12 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze, while Joseph Ayo Babalola University was fourth with seven gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze. Achiever University with five gold, 10 silver and five bronze was fifth, just as Crescent University placed sixth with five gold, three silver and 13 bronze medals.

Bells University (two gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals) was seventh, Al-Hickman University was eight with two gold, two silver and three bronze medals. The Wesley University was last on the medals table with one gold, one silver and five bronze.

A total of ten universities registered for the games, but only nine participated.

Apart from the duo of Akpofa and Abati, who won four gold medals each, other athletes, who distinguished themselves in the games were Ujie Samuel (three gold, one silver), Ovie Goodluck (three gold) and Blessing Godfrey (one gold, one silver).

While declaring the games closed at Oghara Township Stadium, Delta State at the weekend, the Director of Sports, Delta State Sports Commission, Victor Onogagamue, praised the students for their spirit of sportsmanship displayed all through the games.

The Vice-Chancellor of the host university (WDU), Prof. Peter Hugbo, was full of praises for his students for the impressive performance, which he described as “wonderful.”

It was the second time Western Delta University participated in the games, the first was in 2007 in Yola, where it came 5th in the overall medals table.