December 03, (THEWILL) – The camp of team Bayelsa at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State, bubbled to life on Friday, as athletes raked in medals in various events.
Taekwondo gave team Bayelsa the first gold medal of the showpiece in Poomsae male with an outstanding display from Oluwasesan Abodunrin, they also got silver in individual Poomsae female, and two bronze in individual Poomsae male.
Golf recorded the second gold for Bayelsa as Solomon Ideriah, won gold in the stroke play to clinch the gold. Cycling had earlier given Bayelsa a silver and bronze as the cycling event continues on Saturday.
Festus Zekiesuevie and Anointing Moses won a silver medal in para table tennis, while Godspower Moses and Taritimi Akene, settled for a bronze medal.
In deaf table tennis, Bobo Oziri and Begold Ebinyo, also won bronze to clinch three bronze.
It was a bad start for the State’s female football team as they were pipped 1-0 by Kaduna State, at the Ogwashi Ukwu stadium, while in male football, Bayelsa and Lagos State played out a goalless draw.
In Basketball, host, Delta, beat Bayelsa 27-24 despite controlling the game, they are now focused on the next encounter against Ondo State, while Delta will face Abia and Rivers will battle Nasarawa State.
Team Bayelsa has amassed a total of 14 medals comprising 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 8 bronze medals as of the time of filling this report.
Bayelsa State Taekwondo coach, Judith Darusha -Williams, in an interview said she was elated with the performance of the athletes, adding that the result has opened the floodgate of gold for Bayelsa.
She gave an assurance to the people of Bayelsa State that more medals would be won to surpass the record in Edo 2020, held in Benin City.
Two taekwondo athletes, Oluwasesan Abodunrin and Osajie Ruth, said they were happy to represent Bayelsa in this year’s sports festival, pointing out that the team had good preparation for the fiesta having finished third in the last edition.
In the meantime, commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, has assured Bayelsans of a podium finish in the 21st National Sports Festival.
Igali, while assessing the performance of the team said the contingent is in Asaba to compete for medals in every sport, explaining that the allowances and athletes’ entitlement have been paid.
He announced an instant reward of two hundred thousand naira for every gold medal won, one hundred thousand for silver and fifty thousand naira for bronze medal aside from the normal government reward for athletes, who will make the state proud.
About the Author
