Team IJA (National U17 Boys) clinched the football bronze medal at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, in Ogun State. They defeated Team Kaduna 2-0 in yesterday morning’s third-place match at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo.

Star forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke scored the opener and later forced an own goal, sealing the win. In the female category, Team Ogun also claimed bronze with a 2-0 victory over Team Osun.

Meanwhile, host state Ogun added more gold to its table tennis haul, winning the Mixed Doubles title. The pair of Bode Abiodun and Tosin Oribamishe defeated Bayelsa’s Azeez Solanke and Iyanuoluwa Falana 3-0 in the final.

Their journey wasn’t easy. In the semifinals, they battled past Edo’s Rilwan Akanbi and Aminat Fashola in a tight 3-2 encounter. “Abiodun’s experience made the difference,” noted a team official. The victory marks Ogun’s third table tennis gold after two para events.

The singles events are also heating up. Defending women’s champion Fatimo Bello of Delta declared, “Expect a different performance in this festival because nothing can stop me from retaining the title.”

In the men’s singles, competition is fierce with top contenders like Olajide Omotayo, Taiwo Mati, Azeez Solanke, and defending champion Amadi Omeh of Edo, all set to battle.

LSTTA Chairman Tunji Lawal commended the organizers, saying, “The turnout for the table tennis event has been impressive… Hopefully, we can find the next Quadri Aruna at this year’s Gateway Games.”