NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Gateway Games 2024: Ogun clinches mixed doubles table tennis gold
Host state, Ogun continued their impressive run at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, by securing the gold medal in the Mixed Doubles table tennis event.
Following their double gold triumph in the para-table tennis division on Monday, Ogun’s duo of Bode Abiodun and Tosin Oribamishe delivered another stellar performance. They overcame Bayelsa’s Azeez Solanke and Iyanuoluwa Falana in a commanding 3-0 victory in the final.
Their path to the final, however, was anything but easy. In the semifinals, Abiodun and Oribamishe were pushed to the limit by Edo’s Rilwan Akanbi and Aminat Fashola. It was Abiodun’s experience that proved decisive, helping the home team edge out a narrow 3-2 win to book their place in the final.
Unlike the tense semifinal, the final was a showcase of dominance. Abiodun and Oribamishe controlled the match from start to finish, adding a third table tennis gold to Ogun’s medal tally.
Meanwhile, the singles events are heating up as they head into a crucial phase. Defending women’s singles champion Fatimo Bello of Delta has declared her determination to retain her title.
“Expect a different performance at this festival because nothing can stop me from retaining the title,” Bello said. “It’s going to be tougher this year, but I’m fully ready for any opponent in Abeokuta.”
The men’s singles event promises to be a fierce contest, with over ten strong contenders in the mix. These contenders include foreign-based stars such as Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun, Taiwo Mati, Bode Kayode, and Azeez Solanke. They also include homegrown talents like Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and defending champion Amadi Omeh of Edo.
Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), Tunji Lawal, commended the event. He praised Ogun State for hosting a successful tournament. He also emphasized the importance of talent discovery.
“I must commend the Ogun State Government for putting up a great show. The turnout for the table tennis event has been impressive. This is exactly what we’ve been hoping for,” Lawal said.
“With more players participating, we have a better chance of discovering new talents. Hopefully, we’ll find the next Quadri Aruna at the Gateway Games 2024.”
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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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