Team IJA (National U17 Boys) has clinched the football bronze medals of the ongoing 22^nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State. They defeated Team Kaduna 2-0 in the third-place match played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo on Tuesday morning.

Goal-poacher Abdulmuiz Adeleke scored the first goal and then put immense pressure on his marker to score an own goal and seal Team IJA’s triumph.

In the female event, Team Ogun defeated Team Osun by the same margin to clinch the bronze medals.

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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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The atmosphere is electric at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex as host state Ogun prepares to face Kwara in the men’s football final of the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, on Tuesday, May 27.

The highly anticipated clash promises fireworks, with Ogun aiming to capitalize on home support after a hard-fought victory over the Golden Eaglets in the semifinals. Kwara, however, will be no easy opponent, having eliminated Kaduna in their semifinal battle.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets will look to end their campaign on a high note as they take on Kaduna in the third-place match, scheduled to take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne.

In the women’s football final, the spotlight shifts to the National U-17 team, the Flamingoes, who are competing under the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) banner. They secured their place in the final with a narrow 1-0 win over host Ogun. Their opponents, Delta State, edged out Osun in a thrilling five-goal semifinal encounter.

The bronze medal match in the women’s category will see Ogun face Osun, as both teams aim to finish on the podium.

With pride, medals, and bragging rights on the line, football fans can expect a day of intense action and memorable moments at the Gateway Games 2024.

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