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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Host, Ogun State, is just four gold medals away from toppling current runners-up, Bayelsa State as the 22nd National Sports Festival enters its final week.

The Ogun State team swam up the stream into the third place, having amassed 36 gold, 21 silver and 31 bronze medals, on the heels of Bayelsa State, who have 39 gold, 29 silver and 26 bronze medals.  

The Ogun State football team will play the final match of the men’s football event after eliminating the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), comprising the Nigerian U-17 football team.

The 2-1 win has pitted the Ogun squad against Kwara. The state has this season produced the Nigerian league champions, Remo Stars of Ikenne.

Meanwhile, it appears there is no stopping Delta State at the top of the medal table.

The competitions are in their final week. Delta leads with 64 gold, 31 silver, and 52 bronze medals as at Sunday night.

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The Golden Eaglets will contest for the bronze medals of the male football event of the ongoing 22^nd National Sports Festival, after they lost 1-2 to Team Ogun in the second semi finals of the event in Ikenne-Remo on Sunday.

In the first semifinal, Team Kwara defeated Team Kaduna by a lone goal to qualify for the final of the male football event, which will be held on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.

In the female event, Nigeria’s U17 boys, Flamingos flew their way into the final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Team Ogun. Shakirat Moshood made no mistake from six yards after the 2022 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists were awarded a penalty with minutes left in the encounter.

They will now face Team Delta in Tuesday’s grand finale, after the latter dismissed Team Osun 4-1 in the first semi final.

The third-place matches will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, while the final of the male and female events will hold at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.

The Golden Eaglets and Flamingos are participating in the 22^nd National Sports Festival as part of the praiseworthy Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative of the National Sports Commission.

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