By Femi Atolagbe

Ondo State Abula coach, Olajide Ojo, has expressed optimism about his team’s prospects despite their 1–2 loss to Rivers State.

Team Ondo lost 0–1 in the first set, drew level in the second set, but eventually lost the third set 11–16.

Ondo State are the defending champions of the traditional game, Abula.

Speaking with newsmen, the coach said his side still have a game in hand against Imo State at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games.

He added that a victory against Imo would secure qualification for the next stage of the competition.

“We have a very good team, but we are going back to the drawing board to review and assess our game against Rivers.

“I’m very sure that from there, we will be able to get back on our feet.”

“Abula is a very interesting game played on court, with a bat and a tennis ball.”

On his part, Rivers State coach, Paul Asaah, said he was not satisfied with his team’s display, stating that they did not play according to instructions or the game plan.

Asaah added that his players performed very casually, which was not part of their strategy.

“I will see what happens in our next game. I want to understand why we played casually against Ondo State.

“Well, maybe it was because of the long journey; we came straight from camp and started the game immediately.

“I will inquire from them why they played the way they did when we sit down to analyse the outcome of the game,” he stated.