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Gateway Games 2024: Ogun Clinches Mixed Doubles Title in Table Tennis

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago44 mins

Host state Ogun added to its medal tally in table tennis at the 22nd National Sports Festival—tagged Gateway Games 2024—by securing gold in the Mixed Doubles category. On Monday, Ogun had already claimed two gold medals in the para table tennis events. Building on that success, the duo of Bode Abiodun and Tosin Oribamishe delivered a stellar performance in the Mixed Doubles final, defeating Bayelsa’s Azeez Solanke and Iyanuoluwa Falana. Their path to the final wasn’t without challenges. In the semifinals, they faced stiff competition from Edo’s Rilwan Akanbi and Aminat Fashola. It was Abiodun’s experience that proved decisive, helping the Ogun team edge out a narrow 3-2 victory to book their place in the final. Unlike the hard-fought semifinal, the final saw a dominant performance from the Ogun pair. They cruised to a straight-sets 3-0 victory over Bayelsa, bringing Ogun’s gold medal count in table tennis to three. Meanwhile, the singles competitions are heating up as they enter a critical stage. Defending women’s singles champion Fatimo Bello of Delta has confidently declared her intent to retain the title. “Expect a different performance in this festival because nothing can stop me from retaining the title. It’s going to be tougher this year, but I’m fully ready for any opponent here in Abeokuta,” said Bello. The men’s singles event promises a fierce contest with more than ten top contenders, including foreign-based stars such as Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun, Taiwo Mati, Bode Kayode, and Azeez Solanke. They will be joined by local talents like Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, as well as defending champion Amadi Omeh of Edo. Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), Tunji Lawal, praised the organizers and emphasized the importance of talent identification at the festival. “I must commend the Ogun State government for putting on a great show. The turnout for the table tennis event has been impressive. With more players participating, we increase our chances of discovering new talent. This is a promising development for the sport in Nigeria. Hopefully, we can find the next Quadri Aruna at this year’s Gateway Games,” Lawal stated.

Gateway Games 2024: Teams, Players Battle for 46 Gold Medals in Table Tennis

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago43 mins

Participants in the table tennis event of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, will be vying for a total of 46 gold medals up for grabs. The table tennis competition features athletes across three categories: able-bodied, para-athletes, and deaf athletes. Seven gold medals are available in the able-bodied category, while deaf athletes will contest for five gold medals. Para-athletes will compete for a whopping 34 gold medals across various events, including singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events. In the able-bodied category, athletes will compete in singles (for men and women), doubles (for men and women), mixed doubles, and team events (for men and women). Deaf athletes will contest in singles (men and women), doubles (men and women), and mixed doubles. Para-athletes will participate in four team events—men’s classes 1–5 and 6–10, and women’s classes 1–5 and 6–10. There will also be 18 singles events for men and women, eight doubles events, and four mixed doubles events. Delta State dominates the seeding lists for both able-bodied and para-athlete categories. Fatimo Bello of Delta State is the top seed in the women’s singles, while Bayelsa’s Olajide Omotayo leads the men’s singles. Lagos and Oyo States top the seedings in the deaf singles events. According to the tournament referee, Lajide Ranti, this year’s tournament promises to be thrilling, especially with the inclusion of Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) by the National Sports Commission (NSC). Lajide said: “We are going to witness top-class table tennis, especially from players who recently featured in the ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar. The knockout format of this year’s tournament will make it even more exciting and competitive. I hope we can conclude all matches before the closing ceremony on May 29,” Ranti said. “The turnout of teams has been impressive, even from states that haven’t traditionally featured in the table tennis events of the NSF. Beyond the medals, I believe the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) will be able to discover new talents for future development,” he added.

22nd National Sports Festival: Golden Eaglets Zoom into Semi Finals

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Five-time world champions Golden Eaglets have zoomed into the semi finals of the football event of the 22nd National Sports Festival ongoing in Ogun State. Abdulmuiz Adeleke, who netted the first goal in the 2-1 win over Edo State on Monday, came up big with a brace against Ebonyi State in Friday morning’s quarter-final encounter, which the Eaglets won 5-0 to sail into the last four. Mohammed Imrana, scorer of the second goal against Edo State, was also among the goals, though he was unlucky to bag a red card in the closing minutes of the encounter. Destiny Samuel and Emmanuel Ochigbo were the other scorers. On Thursday, the Flamingos drew 0-0 with Lagos State. They lead their group B with five points, ahead of Friday evening’s final group stage clash with Enugu State, who are pointless. Delta and Lagos State are fast on the Flamingos’ heels with four points each. Osun State leads the four-team group A with seven points, with Ogun and Edo States on five and four points respectively.

Gateway Games 2024: Table Tennis Medal Hunt Begins in Abeokuta

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago34 mins

The quest for table tennis glory at the 22nd National Sports Festival, dubbed Gateway Games 2024, begins on Saturday, May 24, at the Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. As one of the headline events of Nigeria’s own Olympic-style festival, table tennis has attracted a significant turnout of teams from across the country. Notably, foreign-based stars such as Olajide Omotayo, Azeez Solanke, and Taiwo Matti will represent Bayelsa State, bringing international flair and experience to the competition. Lagos State enters the fray with national champion Matthew Kuti and Muiz Adegoke leading the charge, while other strong contenders from Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, and Delta States are poised to make their mark. According to an official from the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), the event’s start was slightly delayed to accommodate the conclusion of the badminton tournament, which shares the same venue. “We’re expecting a more competitive tournament this year, with increased participation from teams that haven’t featured in recent editions. Some players are coming straight from the ITTF World Championships in Doha, so fans should brace for fireworks in the team, doubles, and singles categories,” the official stated. Omotayo, currently Nigeria’s second-highest-ranked player globally, will face fierce opposition from top home-based talents like Kuti, Adegoke, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai. Kuti, one of the most consistent performers on the national circuit, is seeking his first National Sports Festival title after a string of recent tournament successes. Abdulfatai, fresh off a national tournament victory in Osun State, is also a strong contender in both singles and doubles. Oyo State, guided by Coach Dotun Omoniyi, is not to be underestimated. The team features seasoned campaigners like Akinwale Fagbamila and Joshua Olaniran, who bring experience and grit to the Sunshine State’s campaign. In the para table tennis event, the spotlight will be on hometown hero and Paris Paralympics bronze medalist Isau Ogunkunle, who will be looking to assert his dominance in the Men’s Class 4 singles event. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games medalist Faith Obazuaye will spearhead the Edo State contingent in the women’s para category. From May 24 to 28, the Alake Sports Centre will be the epicenter of thrilling table tennis action, as the festival promises to showcase new talents and deliver high-octane matches at this year’s multi-sport extravaganza.

Davido, Asa to Star at 2025 Gateway Games Opener

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Nigerian musician David Adedeji Adeleke professionally known as Davido and Bukola Elemide also known as Asa will tonight thrill sports fans to frenzy at the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged; Gateway Games 2025. The opening ceremony slated to hold at the new refurbished MKO Abiola Sports Arena, is expected to treat over 10,000 athletes, officials and fans with the hospitality of the Gateway State. A Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Bukola Olopade, who was the Commissioner for Sports the last time Ogun State hosted the Mini Olympics in a post on his Twitter handle congratulated the State on the organistion of a World class event. “Let the Games begin. “This is our own Olympics and from start to finish, the festival must portray that global feel, both in competition and organisation. “This is why the National Sports Commission and the Ogun State Government have put up a World class event to mark the Opening ceremony later today by 5pm. “Two of Nigeria’s top Music icons Davido and Asa will be performing live at the MKO Sports Arena. “Beyond the aesthetic people will be seeing today, which confirms to everyone what I have been saying that Ogun will host the best Festival, we are also determined to ensure that people witness the best throughout the Games,” the astute Sports Administrator assured.