NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Delta retains table tennis title as Bayelsa clinches men’s crown
Fatimo Bello and Ajoke Ojomu showcased their dominance as they led the women’s team to victory over host state Ogun, retaining their title in the table tennis team event at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024.
In the men’s team event, a new champion emerged as Bayelsa claimed the title. The formidable trio of Olajide Omotayo, Taiwo Mati, and Azeez Solanke stunned the competition, defeating Delta in the final after dispatching host state Ogun 3-1 in the semifinal. Ogun had fielded experienced players such as Bode Abiodun and Bode Kayode.
Despite tough resistance from the Lagos team, which featured seasoned players Bose Odusanya and Bose Akinsete, Delta maintained their dominance by sweeping the final 3-0 to retain the women’s team title they had won in the previous edition.
Bayelsa’s men’s team, led by Omotayo, Mati, and Solanke, delivered a commanding 3-0 win over Delta to be crowned the new champions.
The host state, Ogun, excelled in the para team events. Paralympic bronze medalist Isau Ogunkunle partnered with Olalekan Ilesanmi to defeat Delta’s Bolawa Akingbemisilu and Wasiu Yusuf, clinching the Class 1-5 men’s team title.
Although they lost the doubles match to Delta, Ogunkunle rallied from a set down to beat Akingbemisilu 2-1, while Ilesanmi overcame Yusuf 2-1, securing a 2-1 victory for Ogun. In the women’s Class 1-5 team event, Rivers State edged Delta 2-1.
Ogun added another gold medal in the para events by winning the women’s Class 6-10 team event with a 2-1 triumph over Delta. Delta, however, claimed gold in the men’s Class 6-10 event, defeating Rivers State 2-0.
Meanwhile, former African champion Olufunke Oshonaike praised Ogun State for hosting a successful festival.
“I’m impressed with Ogun State, especially the equipment provided for the table tennis event. The atmosphere was commendable, and the standard of play was encouraging. However, more needs to be done for female players. The level is still low, and we must support them through better coaching and exposure,” she said.
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A seven-member management team has been inaugurated to manage the Rivers State contingent’s participation at the 2026 Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold in Edo State.
Former Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Chris Green, who has served four terms in that role, was named chairman of the committee charged with overseeing the preparations and welfare of Team Rivers for the regional multi-sport event, tagged Edo 2026.
Other members of the team are Professor Ken Anugweje, Comrade Emma Ndah, Obia Inyengiyikabo and Awele Salubi, while Emmanuel Jaja will serve as the committee’s secretary. Veteran sports journalist Sammy Wejinya was also appointed Media Head and Director of Communications of the team.
Speaking shortly after the inauguration, Green urged members of the committee to deploy their vast experience and expertise to ensure that the Rivers State contingent performs creditably at the games.
“Only the best in their respective fields have been selected to serve in the team, and I want to use this opportunity to charge all the appointed members to bring their wealth of experience to bear as we open yet another vista in the chapter of sports in Rivers State,” Green said.
The 2026 Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, will be held in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 27, 2026.
The games are expected to feature competitions in 17 sports, with events taking place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and other designated venues across the host city.
The Niger Delta Games bring together athletes from states in the oil-producing region and are aimed at promoting sports development, unity and youth engagement across the Niger Delta.
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The Leadership of the Africa Sports Management Association (ASMA) has joined others in mourning the 22 athletes of Kano State who died on their way back from the just concluded National Sports Festival.
In a statement signed by its president, Prof. Oluwaseun Omotayo, the association remarked that it received with shock the news of the fatal motor accident that claimed the lives of the 22 Kano State athletes.
“The purpose of this message is to express deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragic accident.
“Africa Sports Management Association (ASMA) leadership commiserate with the National Sports Commission, the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Kano State Governor and the Kano State Sports Commission, Ogun State Governor and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the entire Nigerian sports community “, the statement concluded.
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The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, has expressed condolences to the Kano State Government. They expressed sympathy for the tragic incident involving members of the Kano State contingent. These members were returning home after participating in the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.
A bus conveying the athletes was said to have been involved in a crash at the Dakatsalle Bridge in the Kura Local Government area of Kano State after passing Kaduna state, claiming the lives of 21 athletes.
The Executive Secretary of the LOC, Dr Kweku A. Tandoh, remarked: “We are saddened by this incident, particularly with the death of these young people, budding stars who had a lot to give the country with their talent, skills, and creativity in sports.
“Words cannot adequately express the sorrow the LOC feels at this loss.
“We offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the departed ones, and we pray that God will comfort the families.
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