Team Abia has successfully defended their Boys’ football Gold medal at the National Youth Games, securing a narrow but hard-fought victory in the final.
Paul Bassey Offiong was the hero of the match, scoring the decisive goal that gave Team Abia a 1–0 win over Team Oyo in the final match played at the St. Patrick College pitch in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The players and their coaches, basking in the euphoria of victory, expressed gratitude to the government of Abia State for its deliberate investment in youth development through sports.
In the Girls’ football event, Team Lagos claimed the Gold medal after defeating Team Delta by 5–4 on penalties, following a goalless encounter in regulation time.
Meanwhile, the Handball competition concluded at the Asaba Cenotaph with surprising upsets.
It was a disappointing outing for the defending champions, Team Delta, in both the Boys’ and Girls’ handball events.
In the Boys’ final, Delta fell short against Team Niger, losing 26–23. In the Girls’ category, the hosts were narrowly edged out 12–11.
Just like Delta, Team Lagos also failed to secure Bronze in both the Boys’ and Girls’ handball third-place matches.
Team Ondo claimed Bronze in the Girls’ event, while Team Adamawa secured third place in the Boys’ competition.
Editor: Ken Eseni
