Ogun State women’s handball team delivered a thrilling performance on Wednesday, defeating Sokoto 38-34 to win the gold medal at the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), currently taking place in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The highly anticipated final, held at one of the main festival arenas, kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sokoto took a narrow 18-17 lead into halftime, intensifying the pressure on the host team. However, Ogun mounted a strong comeback in the second half, showcasing resilience and tactical brilliance to seal the victory and bring home the gold.
The spirited contest not only highlighted the strength of women’s handball in Nigeria but also affirmed Ogun’s determination to impress as hosts of this year’s festival. Despite a valiant effort from Sokoto, they had to settle for the silver medal after a closely contested match.
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Meanwhile, in the third-place match, Edo State outclassed Kogi with a convincing 31-20 victory to claim the bronze medal, ending their campaign on a high note.
The men’s final between Team Lagos and Team Ogun was disrupted by a torrential downpour and will now be concluded on Thursday at 9 a.m., adding another layer of excitement to the festival’s final days.
The 22nd National Sports Festival, themed “Gateway Games 2024,” began on May 16 and is scheduled to wrap up on May 30. With fierce competition and standout moments like Ogun’s golden victory in handball, the festival continues to live up to its reputation as Nigeria’s premier grassroots sports showcase.