Team Ogun edged Team Sokoto 38-34 in the Women’s handball final of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival decided at the Alake Sports Centre on Wednesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
The hosts, who have been doing well in the ball events, came up with the goods in the gold medal match. Meanwhile, it was not all rosy as the side from the Caliphate also gave a good account of themselves.
The final, which was scheduled to start by 2pm, kicked off a little behind schedule due to the protests that took place earlier in the day.
After a slow start from the Ogun team, Team Sokoto raced into an early lead in the first half. However, the hosts rallied back and led at halftime (18-17).
The hosts continued from where they left off upon the resumption of action. They tried to pull away, but Team Sokoto stayed in touch. The highest lead in the highly competitive match was just six points. Despite a late rally from Team Sokoto, the Gateway State side held on to seal a four-point margin win in the end.
One of the standout players of the match, Sokoto’s Prudence Samuel, while speaking to aclsports.com after the match, expressed her satisfaction with the silver medal won.
“I feel very happy about the silver medal. It’s a great achievement for us. Sokoto State have not been good at this festival, so it [the silver medal] is a thing of joy.”
“Although we wanted gold, we are happy with the silver. At the last festival, we didn’t do well. So, I’m happy we are not going back empty handed,” the exciting star concluded.
In the bronze medal match, Edo State thumped Kogi State 32-20 to win bronze on Tuesday.
