Host state Ogun continued their impressive run at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, by securing the gold medal in the Mixed Doubles table tennis event.
Following their double gold triumph in the para-table tennis division on Monday, Ogun’s duo of Bode Abiodun and Tosin Oribamishe delivered another stellar performance. They overcame Bayelsa’s Azeez Solanke and Iyanuoluwa Falana in a commanding 3-0 victory in the final.
Their path to the final, however, was anything but easy. In the semifinals, Abiodun and Oribamishe were pushed to the limit by Edo’s Rilwan Akanbi and Aminat Fashola. It was Abiodun’s experience that proved decisive, helping the home team edge out a narrow 3-2 win to book their place in the final.
Unlike the tense semifinal, the final was a showcase of dominance. Abiodun and Oribamishe controlled the match from start to finish, adding a third table tennis gold to Ogun’s medal tally.
Meanwhile, the singles events are heating up as they head into a crucial phase. Defending women’s singles champion Fatimo Bello of Delta has declared her determination to retain her title.
“Expect a different performance at this festival because nothing can stop me from retaining the title,” Bello said. “It’s going to be tougher this year, but I’m fully ready for any opponent in Abeokuta.”
The men’s singles event promises to be a fierce contest, with over ten strong contenders in the mix. These include foreign-based stars like Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun, Taiwo Mati, Bode Kayode, and Azeez Solanke, as well as homegrown talents such as Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and defending champion Amadi Omeh of Edo.
Commending the event, Chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSTTA), Tunji Lawal, praised Ogun State for hosting a successful tournament and emphasized the importance of talent discovery.
“I must commend the Ogun State government for putting up a great show. The turnout for the table tennis event has been impressive, and this is exactly what we’ve been hoping for,” Lawal said. “With more players participating, we have a better chance of discovering new talents. Hopefully, we’ll find the next Quadri Aruna at the Gateway Games 2024.”