Team Ondo has potentials of winning 19th NSF- Commissioner, as Sarah, Adijat, Abel win Gold, Bronze medals
By Femi Atolagbe
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The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports in Ondo State, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, has said that the state’s athletes at the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) possessed potentials to top medals table.
Ogunleye who stated this at the ongoing National Sports festival in Abuja , said , ” with the performance he had seen in the events the state had participated in, they would soon be winning gold medals.”
He said the state government had done its part by motivating the athletes before the festival commenced, and it was still ready to follow it with more forms of encouragement.
“We have seen what happened in some of the events they participated in. I know they are in high spirits and ready to face any state team and I am happy to be here with them.
“We will be going back home with gold medals. Our athletes have so far maintained a good level of decorum and I am sure it will help our team to achieve high in Abuja,” the commissioner said.
Earlier on Day 3 of the 19th NSF, Team Ondo had defeated Team Anambra 3-0 in a Round of 32 fixture to advance to the next round.
This was in the team event of the table tennis competition.
They are now billed to take on the winners of the tie between Katsina State and Taraba in the Round of 16.
Meanwhile Sarah Orinu and Adijat Lasisi has written their name in the history books by winning the first and second gold medal for Ondo State at the ongoing 19th National Sports Festival Abuja 2018.
Sarah attained the feat in the 100 meters Freestyle women para-swimming event, while Ondo State Judoka, Adijat Lasisi has won the second gold medal for the state in the 70kg category for Judo in the day 4 of the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF
The Judo event that took place at the Velodrome of Package A of the National Stadium Abuja on Sunday.
Lasisi had defeated Edo State in the final to win the gold medal.
In the Para table tennis event, Olabode Abel of class 9 category from Ondo State won bronze medal, after losing 3-0 to Delta State to become joint bronze medalist with his Delta State counterpart.
In other events, the duo of Wale Fagbamila and Taiwo Mati won their Men Doubles match and thereby advanced to the round of 16 in Table Tennis.
Ondo State will also compete for medals in the men and women singles finals following their successes in the semis.
Equally Calistus Daramola has qualified for the finals in the singles.
In response an elated Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, who witnessed the event described the duo of Sarah Orinu and Adijat Lasisi as an inspiration to the team.
He commended the duo for making Ondo one of the first few States to have won medals at the event.
The Commissioner reiterated his belief in the capability and ability of the team to win more medals for the state.
The General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council (OSSC), Wande Fabuluje, has expressed joy as the state puts its name on the medals’ table at the 19th National Sports Festival in Abuja
Fabuluje lauded the performance of Orinu and Adijat , he charged other athletes to emulate their achievement.
He reiterated the commitment and resolve of the state government to continue its support and financing of sporting activities as a way of getting youths productively engaged.
“Government knows the role it can play to make sporting activities a way of life for the youth.
“The young ones need government backing to discover and harness their natural talents.
“That is the reason the government is opening up the sector by reviving neglected events such as Governor’s Cup and Principals’ Cup,” he said.
Fabuluje, however, prayed that the win would usher in more medals for the state as the events progress.
Orinu also told newsmen that she was delighted to have done her part for the state by being the first gold medalist.
“I am happy. And I thank God for the opportunity I have to serve this state and win the first medal for the state.
“I will continue to be grateful and happy for this,” he said.
The festival, which kicked off on December 6, will end on December 16.