Ogun State etched its name in gold on Friday after its 4×400 meters mixed relay team triumphed in a thrilling finale at the ongoing National Sports Festival, currently taking place in Abeokuta.
Cheered on by a spirited home crowd at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, the quartet of Nathaniel Samson, Gafari Badmus, Tohibat Jimoh, and Tosin Adeleye crossed the finish line in a time of 3:24.36 to clinch the top prize in the fiercely contested event.
Team Edo followed closely, finishing with a time of 3:23.41 to claim silver, while the Lagos team — comprising Benjamin Mogaji, Jane Onyeneho, Eniola Shiro, and Uwem Donald — secured the bronze medal after clocking 3:24.36.
In other athletic highlights of the day, Michael Aiyegbeni delivered gold for Lagos in the men’s hammer throw, while Ewumwen Gladys also struck gold for the state in the women’s javelin event.
As the competition heats up, attention now shifts to the table tennis and para-table tennis events set to begin on Saturday.
Among the stars expected to light up the tournament are foreign-based talents such as Olajide Omotayo, Taiwo Mati, and Azeez Solanke, who will represent Bayelsa.
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Rising sensation and national champion, 14-year-old Matthew Kuti, is among the promising athletes flying the flag for Team Lagos, alongside Muiz Adegoke.
On the medal table, Delta State currently leads the pack with 34 gold, 12 silver, and 28 bronze medals.
Bayelsa follows closely, racking up a total of 61 medals. Rivers State sits in third with 15 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze medals — just ahead of Ogun and Oyo States.
The 2024 edition of the National Sports Festival, themed Gateway Games, kicked off on May 16 and will continue until May 30.