Team Kada emerged champions in the U18 Girls, U19 Boys and men’s senior at the just concluded 2021 President Beach Volleyball Cup in Kaduna.

Kada Emeralds beat Pro Spikers of Lokoja 2-0 (21-14, 21-19) to win gold in the U18 Girls event while Goldening Spikers of Anambra zoomed pass Sokoto 2-0 (21-15, 21-13) to win bronze medal.

Kada Kings shocked Pro Spikers of Lokoja as they came back from a game down to win gold medal in the U19 Boys category. Kada Kings won the game 2-1 (19-21, 21-8, 15-10) in front of their home fans while Zamfara placed third position beating Borno 2-0 (21-12, 21-12).

Kada Kings beat NSCDC 2-1 (21-19, 21-23, 15-13) to emerge new champions in the men’s category.

The duo of Jasper Peter and Austin Uche (Kada Kings) proved to be the better side against highly rated Godwin Shekerau and Andrew Sunday of NSCDC.

Kada Kings won the first set by 21-19 after giving NSCDC a good fight but lost the second set by 21-23 due to continuous errors. NSCDC took the lead in the third set but Kada Kings came from behind to win the third set by 15-13.

An elated Jasper Peter of Kada Kings told newsmen that winning the President Cup is a major boost for younger players in the country.

Peter thanked the Chairman Caretaker Committee of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod for believing in the ability of the team.

Nigeria Immigration Service beat Nigeria Customs Service 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) to finish third place in the men’s category.

In the women’s senior category, Nigeria Customs Service retained their title after breezing pass Hasso Queens 2-0 (21-14, 21-17) in front of over 500 spectators. The second team of Nigeria Customs Service defeated NSCDC 2-0 (21-16, 21-12) to win third position.

By Aturu Bishop

Poised on the need to support and encourage it contingent at the ongoing National Sports Festival holding in Benin, Edo State, the Kogi State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Idris Musa made a surprise visit to the camp of the state contingent.

The commissioner who was followed by administrative members of the ministry and Sports council thanked the contingent for enduring all the challenges faced so far.

Musa who addressed athletes and official welfare made known that the State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Yahaya Bello is working round the clock to ensure the state contingent are comfortable and well motivated.

He urged all athletes to be focus and not be distracted by any circumstances, adding that thier is always reward for hardwork.

While disclosing and assuring that the state government will recognise and reward all medalist, he added that he would personally give cash gift to outstanding athlete.

Similarly, the Director of Sports, Onipe Obakachi in his remark at the meeting thanked the Commissioner for his visit, stressing that his visit has changed the mood in the camp of Kogi.

He further disclosed that prior before his arrival, their was serious unrest as regards internal issues and some of the challenges faced by the athletes and officials as regards the festival organisation.

Onipe however promised the state of athletes and officials unflinching resolve to perform well and deliver beyond expectations.

Speaking on behalf of the athletes, one of Kogi boxing medalist, Ekele thanked the State government and the Commissioner while assuring the State of athletes dedication to deliver medals.

Kogi State has qualified for the Quarter final match in the Welter Weight 69KG, and Light Welter 64kg boxing event in the ongoing National Sports Festival, tagged Edo 2020.

The duo of Osita Umeh and Rasheed Wasiu beat their opponent’s from Edo and Imo State respectively.

While Osita Umeh knock Abiodun Yakubu of Edo State in the Welther Weight 69KG championship, Rasheed Wasiu of Kogi State also defeated Oriaku Moses of Imo State at round two through technical knockout in the
Light Welther 64kg event.

Speaking shortly after their fight, the Kogi State boxers told journalist that they are all out to win medals for the state.

According to them, despite some pocket of challenges they face during the competition, they are optimistic that their quest to win gold for the state would not be hindered.

” We are very happy qualifying for the next round of this boxing competition. We are aware that our next opponent are very tough, but that would not shake us as boxing is a game of the mind and determination.

“As Kogi boxers, we are assuring our teaming supporters both home and away that we are going to make them proud with the maximum support we are getting from his excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the sky will be our starting point” they added.

Reacting to his athletes victory, the head Coach of Kogi State Boxing team Gozie Dijeh popularly called (IGOR) told newsmen that the state is fully out to register their name in boxing medals table.

He added that his athletes are fully prepared to face any opponent that would come their way in the next round of the competition.

“Kogi State is fully prepared for the 2020 National Sports Festival. Am very confident with the zeal of my athletes, we are going to win medals in boxing” he added.

Meanwhile, Solomon Jegede from Kogi State lost to his Ogun counterpart Muritalador Mayushau in the Heavyweight 91KG championship.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sunday Bardo of Kogi State suffered a narrow defeat to Hassan of Edo State by a point in the Light wieght 60KG boxing match.

End

The chances of Ekiti state to win more medals in combat sports were on Monday brightened following the victory of Mordecai Ofe in the heavyweight male Taekwondo category.

The Ekiti state taekwondo fighter defeated his counterpart from Borno state to emerge among contenders for medals at the National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020.

The taekwondo fighter who sustained slight injury in his first fight is expected to put aside the injury scare and step unto the mat again today in continuation for his quest to win a medal.

Elsewhere, athletics events will begin on Friday while some of the boxers from Ekiti state will step into the boxing ring today

Ahead of Friday’s commencement of the athletics events, Ekiti state head of coaching who also doubles as the state athletics coach, Isiaka Oluyemi has expressed optimism the state will surely win medals in track and field events.

Actions in athletics will be held at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin same place where other games like swimming, badminton, tennis among others are being held.

Ekiti state is contesting in 18 Sports at the National Sports festival tagged Edo 2020.

In the meantime, it has now been confirmed that the widely circulated news about sHopes, embers of Team Kogi Covid19 positive status was untrue .

Findings showed that after series of tests conducted by the NSF medical team. none of the athletes not officials tested positive as earlier reported in some media .

The contingents, were subjected to rigorous tests by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who later declared all 41 athletes and 35 officials from Kogi reportedly tested negative.

Qozeem Oladapo
Team Ekiti NSF Media