By Eche Amos

No fewer than seven medals were won by Team Nasarawa at the close of sporting activities on Thursday at the ongoing 21st edition of the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.

Habeeb Obayomi showed class and bravery in his quest to win the State her first Gold medal, but fell short after losing the final of his boxing contest 2-3 in split decision to his Delta State counterpart, Wahab Tobiloba.

However, he was a proud man despite fighting like a wounded Lion for the Gold medal.

According to him, “It’s a painful loss, but I hope to do better next time.

“I won the first two rounds of the fight. Just the last round changed everything, but I am fine with the Silver Medal for my State”, he said.

Shehu Lawal and Sani Yau worked their way for the prestigious medal in the Men’s Tennis Doubles.

They, nonetheless, got rewarded with a Bronze medal each for their perseverance.

In the Mixed Doubles Event of same Sport, Shehu Lawal and Loveth Ogah also had to settle for a Bronze Medal each, earning the Coach Usman Shuaibu-tutored State’s Tennis Team four Bronze Medals on the day

African Bronze medalist and rising sensation, Chioma Ani, fought in the final of the Female +68kg Karate Event against her Anambra State opponent, Ujunwa Nwankwo.

She would later be acknowledged with a Silver Medal after losing on technical grounds.

Saidu Ahmadu capped the day with another Silver Medal in the cabinet in the -60kg Male Karate Event.

He had worked very hardly against Albert Light of Delta State in the final, only to lose 4-6.

NUMBER OF MEDALS SO FAR WON:

At the close of activities on Thursday evening, Team Nasarawa have scooped a total of twenty-two(22) Medals, which comprise Seven(7) Silver and Fifteen(15) Bronze Medals, respectively.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Talaram Mamman will hope to defend his Gold medal title which he won at the last Sports Festival in Edo State when he gets into the mat on Friday morning in the 130kg heavyweight Wrestling category.

Sulaimon Shittu will seek to prove his mettle when he takes on Fidelis Uboho of Akwa-Ibom State in the -75kg Men’s Karate Event.

His fellow State’s athlete, Dauda Nasiru, will give nothing to chance when he locks horns with his Lagos State counterpart, Joseph Bayo.

Still in Karate, Team Nasarawa will face Team Anambra in the Female Kumite Event while the Male Team will square up against the winners between Team Cross-River and Team Delta) on Friday morning.