Ogun Dominates Ball Games, Cruises Into Six Finals

Hosts Ogun State has maintained its grip on the ball games at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival, booking their place in the final of six more events on Monday.

Having already set a date with Kwara in the men’s football final, which will take place at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex on Tuesday (today), Team Ogun are also set to play in the men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and handball finals.

Team Ogun reigned supreme in their various semi-final clashes at the Alake Sports Complex on Monday, as they hope to increase their haul on the medals table.

In the women’s basketball semi-final, they scaled into the final with a narrow one-point win over Lagos, beating them 45-44.

Lagos led for most part of the game, but Team Ogun’s comeback was completed at the death by Monisola Tewogbade, who shot a three-pointer to clinch the final ticket, where they will face Bayelsa State, who beat Ondo State 62-28.

Their men’s counterparts also eased into their final in the afternoon, beating Adamawa 71-66.

At the volleyball court, Ogun State’s women’s team eased past their counterparts from Kogi 3-0 in the first semi-final, beating them 25-8, 25-23, 25-19 to set up another date against Rivers State in the final.

Both sides had met in the group stage of the tournament when the Ogun State team edged them in a rubber game.

To set up another meeting, Rivers also outclassed Oyo 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 27-25).May 27: Tinubu Pledges ‘Renewed Commitment’ To Nigerian Children

In the men’s volleyball, Ogun also edged a hard-fighting Bayelsa State 3-1 (25-16, 16-25, 25-16, 25-17).

They will play Plateau State, who recovered to beat Ondo State in a rubber game in the second semi-final that was decided on Monday as well.

After being held to a 10-10 draw in the first half of their women’s handball game, Ogun got the job done 24-19 against their counterparts from Kogi to set up a final date against Sokoto, who beat Edo State 32-25.

In the men’s handball final, Ogun will face Lagos in the final after seeing off FCT 29-25.