By Femi Atolagbe

As the Ondo State contingent departs for the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games, the General Manager of the State’s Sports Council, Mr Sunday Fagite, has admonished the team to be good ambassadors of the state.

Fagite urged the contingent not to engage in any form of performance-enhancing substance, saying, “It’s not good for their career.”

He disclosed that 162 Ondo State athletes and their officials will participate in 19 events at the 22nd edition of the national sports fiesta.

These include: Basketball, Athletics, Boxing, Kickboxing, Weightlifting, Badminton, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Abula, Ayo Olopon, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Judo, Karate, Swimming, Para Table Tennis, and Taekwondo.

Fagite reiterated that the Ondo State contingent would build on their impressive outing at the just-concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Akwa Ibom State.

Ondo State was among the nine states that participated in the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival, where they finished fifth with a total of 43 medals.

“Going into the biggest sporting event in Nigeria after such a performance,” Fagite said, “Team Ondo will be motivated to outdo their performance in Uyo.

“By the grace of God, the target is to do better than we have done in previous editions.

“Also, we just took part in the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival, and that will serve as perfect preparation for the National Sports Festival,” Fagite added.

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival was equally a big event, and our athletes will be able to bank on their experiences from there.

“With the support of my management, I have no doubt in my mind that we will end the national event on a good note, because we are endowed with raw talent in Ondo and have capable coaches.”

Ondo State finished 13th at the last edition of the games.