_…Hosts, Team FCT 3rd; Taraba Grabs Soccer Gold_
By: Chinedum Ohanusi
The National Finals of the inaugural edition of the Basic Education Schools Sports Festival, ended in Abuja on Friday, with Team Ondo topping the overall medals standing, ahead of Akwa Ibom State, and hosts of the games, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Team Ondo garnered 9 Gold, 12 Silver, and 10 Bronze medals for a total of 31, to sit on top of the final medals standings; ahead of Akwa Ibom, who are 2nd with 6 Gold, 6 Silver, and 5 Bronze medals; while Team FCT with 5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 9 Bronze medals placed 3rd, despite the advantages of being host of the games.
In all, athletes from 25 states, were in Abuja as champions of their various zones, but four of them; Bauchi, Zamfara, Nasarawa, and surprisingly Delta State failed to make it to the podium, in any of the events.
Taraba’s only medal was the Boys football golf, which they claimed after upsetting Nasarawa State 1-0 in the final; and the solitary goal medal won, saw them climb 8 places to 13th.
On the other hand, Delta State lost the Boys football bronze medal match 3-4 on penalties, after a goalless draw at full time with their counterparts from Kaduna State, who finished in 7th spot (2 Gold, 4 Silver & 1 Bronze).
Anambara were by far the best performing team, from the South East, and with 4 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze, they were 5th and piped by Lagos State who had 5 more Bronze medals to place 4th.
Sokoto won 3 Gold, and 2 Bronze medals to place 6th, and earned the bragging rights of being the best team from, all of the North.
Teams Osun (8th), Kano (9th) and Plateau State, completes the top ten, on the overall medals standing.
Aside the Boys football final, and Bronze medal matches, the well dressed athletes, in the colours of their respective states, and aged 12 and under, took part in a closing ceremony March past; but no state has yet to volunteer to host the 2nd edition of the hugely successful fiesta, in 2025.
The closing ceremony was graced by the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi; Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the Technical Assistant to the FCT Minister of State; Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education & Services, Hon. Mukthar Shagaya; the President Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mrs. Olabisi Joseph; and Chairmen of SUBEB from some states, among other dignitaries.
