Team Ondo on Monday defeated Bayelsa 3-0 to clinch the gold medal in men’s volleyball at the ongoing Niger Delta Sports Festival in Akwa Ibom State.

Ojo Damilola also secured gold in the 76kg wrestling category, increasing Ondo’s gold tally to nine, while Idowu Ladoja settled for silver in the 125kg class, and Rasheedat Saliu claimed bronze in the 74kg category.

Both the male and female basketball teams from Ondo lost to Rivers State, with scores of 39-45 and 27-33, respectively.

Jesuntofuni Oloyede earned a bronze medal in the men’s 5,000 metres athletics event.

In handball, Ondo defeated Edo 24-19 to win bronze.

The duo of Oluwatimilehin Doko and Tunde Saporu also secured bronze in the Scrabble doubles event.

Team Ondo volleyball coach, Oluwashina Afuye, commended his players for their brilliant performance.

He noted that winning the gold was not an easy feat, as their opponents also played with great determination.

He expressed appreciation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for organising the maiden edition of the festival.

According to him, “This competition afforded us the opportunity to discover new talent across our local government areas.

“Five of our players have been invited to the national junior team.

“We started the event in a very tough group comprising Akwa Ibom, Edo, Imo, and Cross River States.”