Team Bayelsa Grabs Six Gold Medals in Day One of National Para Sports Festival

Team Bayelsa Grabs Six Gold Medals in Day One of National Para Sports Festival

By Hananeel Jackson

Team Bayelsa has sent a strong message of its intention to come top of the maiden edition of National Para Sports Festival in Abuja.

The team grabbed six gold medals, seven silver, five bronze after day one of hostilities, having gone through the mandatory classifications yesterday.

Commonwealth bound Yakie Joseph won gold in 400 metres, however lost to Kano State Olushola Michael in the 100 metres race.

Igolukumo Angel produced a tournament performance to clinch gold in the T36 and T38.

Para swimming produced three gold medal for team Bayelsa at the end of the day at the Jabi Lake.

Kennedy Ezeji also conquered in Para Athletics F42 and F44 while Bisou- Ebiwari Becky won silver in Javelin F53 and 54,Joy Ahiakwo also came second in the women Para- Athletics.

Diepreye Odogoro gave team Bayelsa bronze in Deaf Para Badminton,while Gilbert Helen in F53 and 54 clinched gold in the women Javelin.

However,at the package B stadium, Bayelsa State Para Soccer side were hammered 6-1 by Katsina State in the opening group game.

Bayelsa State hopes of winning more gold medal continues tomorrow morning at the Jabi Lake in Para Swimming and athletics at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Speaking shortly after clinching his first gold medal commonwealth bound,Joseph said he was elated to be in the medal table after day one, pointing out that he was looking forward for fruitful outing in the commonwealth games in Brimigham, England.

The commonwealth medal hopeful assured Bayelsans and his fans of more medal before the end of the showpiece.

Bayelsa , Kano and Jigawa states out of 27 states that participate are currently leading the medals table at the time of filling this report.