The Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr Bukola Olopade, has commended the quality of play in the handball event of the ongoing National Sports Festival tagged “Gateway Games 2024”.
Olopade spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after watching the men’s handball match between Lagos and Sokoto states at the Ake Sports Complex, Abeokuta, on Monday.
The Director General lauded the quality of play so far by the handball players, saying that the standard of the game had improved tremendously.
He also stated that the officiating was also top-notch, which made the game more interesting.
“The players displayed integrity and maturity while they also exhibited the spirit of fair play.
“The expectations of the festival are already high, a world-class opening ceremony that has become a reference point for every athlete and spectator.
“We have very good facilities across the board; we expect natural talents to excel.
“For me, I want to see new states emerging as the new reference point rather than the old states. For example, today is day two, and I still haven’t seen Delta and Edo on the medals table.
‘That doesn’t mean I don’t wish Delta and Edo well, but I just wish to see new states. Cross River is leading the table at the moment.”
Olopade disclosed that all the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were all on the ground for the tournament, saying that Benue was the last state to arrive.
The results of men’s handball match day one indicated that Kano State lost to Niger State 24-25 points and Lagos edged Sokoto 25-24 points, while Edo walked over Enugu State.
NAN reports that the National Sports Festival commenced on May 16 and is to end on May 30. (NAN)
