NSF: Team Ogun zooms into handball final, defeats Kogi

Hakeem Adegbenro, Abeokuta

The female handball team of Ogun state has defeated their counterpart from Kogi state in the semifinals of the ongoing National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024 at the Alake Sports Center, Ijeja, Abeokuta

Playing in their traditional yellow jersey, team Ogun who had earlier beaten the confluence girls in the group stage scored 24 goals to Kogis' 19  to secure their place in the final. 

Speaking after the match, Head Coach of Ogun Handball Team, Shola Sekoni expressed satisfaction with his players’ style of play.

“I feel so great we’re coming gradually, the players have given me 75 per cent today, I’m sure the remaining percentage will be added at the final.

“The players were motivated by the gesture of Gov. Dapo Abiodun. He paid all the arrears and he has also promised them and they are looking forward to the promise.. 

“Before getting to this stage, we have played Kogi, Plateau and Delta before meeting Kogi again in the semi final.

“I expect gold in the final,” he said.

One of the team Ogun players, Abdulrasaq Idowu, expressed confidence that the state would be victorious in the final.

Idowu, however, noted that handball could be more popular in the country if government organised more competitions.

” If government at all levels can organise more competitions, the game will be more popular.

“Local government competitions, schools competitions, inter state competitions, more national and international competitions will go a long way in encouraging youths to fall in love with handball,” she said.