NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Team Ogun tops at Scrabble events
It was some moments of hugging, screaming and backslapping by players as members of the Team Ogun State, who topped the Scrabble overall medals table with eight medals, consisting of four gold, three silver and a bronze.
Having won three gold, one silver and one bronze medal in the Singles and Doubles events, the Prince Dapo Abiodun Jammers mined for more top medals in the Team Event on the final day on Tuesday.
Their efforts yielded an additional gold in the Intermediate category as African Youth champion David Ojih, Hakeem Ogundokun, and Tunde Saporu clawed their way to the top of the table after 12 rounds.
The female team, led by African Games double gold medallist Adebisi Adekansi, with experienced Bukunmi Afolayan and Youth prodigy Joy Ola, grabbed the silver medal with nine wins and three defeats above Team Lagos, but were behind Team Delta which took the gold medal.
The Opens’ triad of Emmanuel Ogiogio, David Idris and Olumide Sobowale also helped themselves to a silver medal with 9 wins behind gold winner Team FCT, while Team Anambra State took the bronze medal.
On the medals table, FCT finished second with three gold and one bronze medal while Team Delta State got two gold, two silver and one bronze to place third.
Fourth-placed Team Bayelsa State won two gold medals and
Edo got one gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Team Lagos earned three silver and two bronze medals ahead of Team Oyo State, which won two silver medals. Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Abia and Anambra won a bronze medal each.
Players and officials gave a good review of the hosting state for providing a good tournament ambience and feeding.
Ogun State Scrabble Association Chairman Adekoyejo Adegbesan said the state was never ready to lower the standards, but to raise the standards to a fresh level at the National Sports Festival.
“It’s never been like this before. You can see the ambience, equipment are new; the playing boards, pro-tiles, pro-timer. We just put up the best of the best. All our players are happy that we’ve been able to create this opportunity for them to play scrabble.”
Adekoyejo, who also heads the continent’s Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) was full of good words as he described his team as the best Scrabble-playing state in Nigeria.
“Congratulations, Team. You have no idea what you all have just done at this National Sports Festival! You have cemented our spot as the Best Scrabble Playing State in Nigeria. We have won everything there is to win, and now we are the National Champions.”
Twenty-four states participated in the five-day event.
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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Ogun State Governor, and chief host of the just concluded Gateway Games, Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic ancident involving members of the Kano State contingent who were returning home after participating in the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) held in Ogun State.
A bus conveying the athletes crashed about 50 kilometres from Kano. It had passed through Kaduna State. The crash claimed the lives of 20 athletes.
Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday, said the incident had left him completely traumatized.
The athletes were vibrant young people. They were looking forward to a warm reception from their fans and families. The athletes had proudly donned the colours of Kano State at the just-concluded Gateway Games 2024. They had a bright future ahead of them.
Abiodun expressed condolences to the government and people of Kano State over the incident. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the athletes.
He stated that they were heroes whose patriotism and commitment to the cause of Kano State will never be forgotten. Their dedication to Nigeria as a whole will also be forever remembered.
He said: “It is indeed saddening and distressing. Twenty gallant athletes who had represented Kano State at the just concluded Gateway 2024 games have lost their lives. The circumstances are most traumatising and painful.
“This is so painful. These were young people, budding stars who had a lot to give the country with their talents, skills, and creativity.
“In particular, it is tragic that their beloved family members, who were looking forward to receiving them after a memorable outing at the National Sports Festival, will never get to see their beautiful faces again.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with their families and friends at this terrible hour.
“Having represented Kano with pride and distinction and made friends with their compatriots from across the 36 states, the athletes were heading home with joy, only for their lives to be cut short just before setting foot on Kano soil.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident, and we pray that Almighty Allah grants them eternal rest.
“I commiserate with His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and his cabinet, the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Bala Fagge, and the people of Kano State over this most tragic and unfortunate incident.
“May we never witness this kind of incident again.”
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