2021 Racket Festival: Ondo Badminton 1st in Southwest
By Femi Atolagbe
Ondo State Badminton team were the cynosure of eyes at the just concluded 2021, “5th Mama Alaso” Racket Festival as the won three Gold, two Silver and one Bronze to emerge number one in the Southwest states.
The National Youth Games table topper dazzled the spectators in all the categories at the venue of the tourney.
Philip Afolabi, won the gold medal of Ondo State in U-19 boys singles, Damilola Oyedepo grabbed gold in girls U-19 while Ayomide Aina picked U-16 Gold.
It was the repeat of the National Youth Games as Salawat Tiamiyu settled for Silver after tackled her team in the final, Loveth Olaoye also clinched Silver in the U-16 girls singles and Oyinlola Sunday hold on to Bronze in U-16 boys singles.
Meanwhile, Ondo State added two Silver to their Medals haul in Tennis.
The result placed Ondo State as the number Badminton team in Southwest while the host state ,Ogun cane second with one Gold, ,One Silver and three Bronze, Ekiti got one Silver and one Bronze to came third Lagos State places fourth with just two bronze.
The state Badminton Coach, Tunmise Olalehin and his Assistant, Adesunkanmi Adesida commended the players for their exceptional performance at the competition.
They thanked, the state government and the chairman of the Badminton Association, Mr Olu Adekunle Ajanaku for their support in developing the game in the state.
Tunmise said ,the performance of the players was as a result of motivation received from the government .
He said the prompt payment of the athletes allowance played a big role in their success at every competition.
He appealed to other sports lovers within and the state to join hands with government to develop all round sports from the grassroots.