Hosts Team Delta claimed yet another first gold medal in an event, after starting the championship in strong fashion by winning the first gold in cycling at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.
This time, the team won the gold medal in the women’s team event of the table tennis final on Friday, after defeating Team Oyo 3-0 inside the indoor sports hall at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The team, consisting of Rashidat Ogundele, Fatima Bello, Ajoke Ojomu and Aminat Fashola, cruised to victory in a one-sided final against the women from Oyo.
Delta’s Fatima Bello beat Oyo’s Fatimo Kazeem 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-7) while Ajoke Ojomu fought hard to win 3-2 (11-3, 9-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3) against Halima Hussain
The elated captain of the women’s team, Ogundele, expressed delight at winning the first table tennis medal at the festival.
Ogundele said the win had given Team Delta confidence, adding that her teammates were ready for the singles event.
“Winning the team event has boosted our morale and given us a strong chance in the women’s singles,” she said.
“Delta State stands better chances of carting away most of the medals in the women’s singles because we have the defending champion, Fatima Bello, in our corner.”
Bello took an astounding leap over 291 places in the latest ITTF world rankings to claim the 53rd position.
The host state has begun the competition in a strong fashion and will be looking to retain the title they won at the last National Sports Festival in Edo.
