Osun Contingent to the 21st edition of the National Sports Festivalj in Delta State tagged “Asaba 2022” have returned to the state after 12 days.
As the biennial event where all the 36 States of the federation including the FCT competed in about over 40 different games came to an end, Osun contingent finished 17th on the log despite taking fewer athletes to the competition and participating in just 15 games.
The team recorded 4 Gold, 12 Silver and 13 Bronze in games like Weightlifting, Shooting, Athletics, Para-powerlifting, Swimming among others
This year’s performance was better and commendable when compared with previous editions. It would be recalled that in Edo 2020, Osun struggled to win 1 Gold, 5 Silver and 2 Bronze to finish distant 25th.
Some athletes who won medals for Osun at this year’s event such as Muftau Rasaq, Adegoke Abduilahi, Islamiyat Yusuf among others while speaking with OSBC Correspondent at Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba lauded the state government for prompt release of fund and provision of equipment which aided their performances.
“This year’s performance was better than Edo 2020 because we were able to get our full allowances on time before we left and our coaches were able to buy required equipment. We are grateful to the state government who made it possible’, said Abdulahi who won a bronze medal in Taekwondo
“Finishing 17th at the event is a sign that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke will be better for all of us. His fortune followed us because we went to Asaba as underdogs but we’re able to prove the bookmakers wrong. It’s a record that we finished above average and we promise the Governor to build on this and do better in Ogun State come 2024,,” said Islamiyat and Mufutau who won a Gold and silver in Weightlifting and Para-powerlifting games respectively.
Hosts, Delta State emerged champions for a record seven times with landslide victories as they coasted home 648 total medal among which were 320 Gold,200 Silver and 128 bronze.
The next National Sports Festival will hold in Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2024.
