Ogun 2024: Bayelsa, Delta, Ogun In Early Lead At National Sports Festival
Team Bayelsa have moved to the top of the 2024 National Sports Festival table with 25 medals at the end of activities on Wednesday in Abeokuta.
The Glory of All Lands state can boast of 16 gold, six silver, and three bronze medals, to accumulate a total of 25 medals.
Team Delta is in second with seven gold, five silver, and six bronze for a total of 18 medals.
Team Osun is in third with six gold and one silver medal, earning a total of seven medals.
Team Rivers occupies the fourth position with five gold, three silver, and four bronze, making it a total of 12 medals, while Team Lagos sits firmly in fifth with four gold, seven silver, and seven bronze to make it a total of 18 medals.
Meanwhile, Team Sokoto delivered one of the surprises of the handball event at the ongoing National Sports Festival to defeat Edo State 22–20 in a keenly contested encounter on Day 3 of the women’s category at the Alake Sports Centre.
The Caliphate team took control early, racing to a 12–8 lead by halftime and holding firm against a late surge from Edo to secure their first major win of the competition.
In other matches, Lagos proved far too strong for Bauchi, cruising to a dominant 33–13 victory after a commanding 19–5 first-half performance as they showcased their tactical superiority and fast breaks to maintain their perfect run.
Meanwhile, fans were treated to a nail-biting thriller between Oyo and Delta, with Oyo narrowly clinching a 35–34 win. The game, which was decided in the final minute, saw Oyo overturn a 13–14 halftime deficit with sheer determination.
Hosts, Ogun, also had something to cheer about as they overpowered Plateau State 35–25. Backed by home support, Ogun established an 18–12 lead at the break and never looked back, closing out the match with confidence.
In shooting, Kate Otiti Esugo of Delta State set a new games and national record in women’s 10m air rifle to emerge as the top shooter in the shooting event at the National Sports Festival on Wednesday.
Esugo earned a 591.9/600 and was just 9pts short of a perfect score, followed by Zinna Aistle of River State, who shot 579.4.
In tennis, Abosede Bamidele of Team Lagos defeated Mary Godwin of Team Edo 2-0 in straight sets to advance to the next round of the event.
In a shocking twist, an SS1 student of Government Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, caused a big upset in tennis when he defeated a vastly experienced Akwa Owo of Team Akwa Ibom in straight sets, winning 2-0 (6-1, 6-2).
Amir is part of the Invited Junior Athletes initiative.
Ogun 2024: Bayelsa, Delta, Ogun In Early Lead At National Sports Festival is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
