ORGANISERS of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State have assured athletes and officials of their safety following a gas explosion, which was reported around the Alake Sports Centre, the venue of handball event.
The explosion, which occurred yesterday afternoon created panic around the area, with various states’ officials making enquiries about the safety of their team members. A pall of black smoke billowed around the building located behind the Alake Sports Centre.
All players and officials around the venue were evacuated soon after the explosion occurred. No casualty was reported as men of the state fire service quickly contained the inferno.
Contacted about the incident, yesterday, the Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Media, Kayode Akinmade said: “There is really nothing to worry about. The situation has been brought under control.”
Meanwhile, defending champions, Delta, yesterday, grabbed five gold medals in the Kungfu event to hit eight gold on the medals table.
The medals came from the trio of Isaiah Sabbath, who won three, Confidence Onyema (two) and Favour Mike, who won a gold medal.
But it was Team Bayelsa all the way in the weightlifting event, hauling a total of six gold medals to continue its quest of becoming champions of the Games for the first time ever.
Bayelsa finished on top of the medals table at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State about a month ago, and the state believes tgat it can surmount all oppositions to top the table in Ogun.
On Monday, Team Cross River jumped to the top of the table after grabbing three gold medals in the 54kg weightlifting event, which was decided earlier at the NYSC Oreintation camp in Sagamu.
Oyo State weightlifter, Lawal Rofiat Folasade, made another set of big lifts at the Festival, yesterday.
Folasade, an Olympian and Commonwealth champion, who is featuring in the 59kg female category, secured an impressive three gold medals on Day 2 of the event.
She grabbed one gold medal in the snatch event, another gold in the clean and jerk, and a third gold for her overall performance.
Team Nasarawa won their first medal at the Games, yesterday, with Agada Elijah defeating his Ogun State opponent, Afeez Salaudeen, in the Poomsae Individual Taekwondo event.
The Coach Lois Jerry-tutored Elijah had earlier defeated his Bayelsa, Oyo, Delta and Lagos states’ counterparts en route to the final showdown, where. He earned Nasarawa State their first gold medal in grand style.
In the cycling event, which started in the early hours of yesterday, Team Rivers grabbed a gold medal in the Mixed Relay, while Edo and Oyo settled for the silver and bronze medals.