Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State delivered a commanding performance to secure the women’s basketball gold at the 22nd National Sports Festival, defeating hosts Ogun State 59-37 in the final at the Alake Sports Centre on Tuesday.
The championship clash pitted two of the tournament’s strongest teams against each other, with Bayelsa and Ogun engaging in a tightly contested first half. Both sides exchanged baskets, but Bayelsa’s sharp execution gave them a narrow 30-25 lead at the break.
The second half saw Bayelsa elevate their game, stifling Ogun with aggressive defense and capitalizing on turnovers to pull away.
Their relentless pressure and precise offense turned the game into a one-sided affair, as they built a 22-point margin by the final whistle.
Bayelsa’s head coach, Tony Nelson, praised his team’s focus and preparation. “Ogun is a tough opponent, especially with the home crowd behind them. We knew we had to stay sharp from start to finish.
The score doesn’t tell the whole story—it was our discipline that made the difference,” Nelson said.
Guard Pius Beggi Idumabo, a key figure in Bayelsa’s victory, highlighted the team’s composure. “The crowd was loud, but we stayed calm. Coach told us at halftime to reset and play like it was 0-0. We locked in, pushed the pace, and took control. It feels great to win gold,” she said.
Ogun State, despite a valiant effort, settled for the silver medal. Their offense struggled to find answers against Bayelsa’s defensive intensity in the second half. Ogun’s coach acknowledged the defeat but remained optimistic.
“Bayelsa played a great game. We’ll take this as a learning experience and come back stronger,” he said.
Bayelsa’s victory reinforces their dominance in women’s basketball, while Ogun’s silver caps a commendable tournament run on home soil.
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