Rivers State basketball teams have won the gold medals in the basketball men and women events decided yesterday at the soon to be completed 17th National Sports Festival.
In the men’s category,the host defeated the Lagos State team 75 to 63 points. Kaduna State consoled itself with the third place match winning the bronze medal after beating Enugu 73 to 67 points.
In the women’s event, Rivers also won the gold by defeating closest rivals Delta 54 to 42 points. Lagos settled for bronze after losing in the men’s final, in the women’s category beating Kaduna 60 to 40 points.
Delta’s women coach, Uyigue Nosa said he is impressed with the performance of his team despite not being able to clinch the ultimate prize. He said he never expected that they will get this far but he is happy that the girls did and put up a good fight at the finals.
Men’s gold winning coach, Fuburah Oyanabo, described the gold medal feat as a dream come true. “My dream is fulfilled. I am glad I have finally gotten what I had dreamed and planned for. I am happy all my plans all the way have worked out. Winning the gold means all the trainings are not a waste. I am happy with Rivers State government and the opportunity given to me to prove myself.”
Meanwhile, Rivers State as at 5.30pm yesterday increased its gold tally to 88 and overall medals to 178. The host have 88 gold, 44 silver, and 46 bronze. Delta, which had earlier boasted to overtake the host may have given up hopes just a day to the end of the festival since it is still trailing at a distant second with 51 gold, 58 silver and 53 bronze with overall medals of 162.
Edo is third with 29 gold, 20 silver and 25 bronze with a total of 74 medals while Ondo is fourth having won 16 gold, 18 silver and 26 bronze with a total of 60 medals. Fifth is Bayelsa with 15 gold, 9 silver and 18 bronze. At the very bottom are two northern states. Gombe and Sokoto without a single medal. So far a total of 976 medals have been won with 288 gold, 284 silver and 404 bronze.
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