By Tony Ubani
Defending champions, Team Delta have continued to mount pressure on table leaders, Rivers state as the ongoing Sport Festival gets to it crucial stage with events in judo, karate, kung-fu’ wrestling and weightlifting completed amongst others.

Authentic results made available as at yesterday, Team Rivers are maintaining their lead with 37 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze medals, Team Delta have won 21 gold, 24 silver and 22 bronze medals to keep the pressure on the host state, while, Akwa Ibom are third on the table with 9 gold, and 7 bronze medals.

Team Ondo are fourth on the table with 7 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals. Ogun are occupying the fifth position one step ahead of Edo state, while Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos are placed seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.

The best South East state on the medal are Team Imo, who are placed distant 14 behind FCT, Kano, Plateau and Benue state in that order.

Ebonyi prays for one Gold medal

Acting Director of Sports in Ebonyi State, Emmanuel Utobo has challenged the state athletes to go for the ultimate by winning at least a gold in the ongoing Sports Festival.

Team Ebonyi, which placed distant 36th at the last sports festival where they won just only a bronze medal has so far won just one silver and two bronze medals, only in wrestling achieved by Abraham Onyemelesi in the 74kg, Desmond Ibe in the 84kg and Nnanna Okoronkwo in the 120kg and Utobo believes winning gold in Port Harcourt will be an improved outing.

“I want to commend the athletes for their efforts so far and want to challenge them to go for the ultimate which is gold.
“Winning gold would be an ideal way of repaying the government and people of the state for their tremendous support to the contingent,” he said.

Excited head coach of the wrestling team, Okwudili Robinson remains optimistic that his wrestlers are capable of winning gold at the end of the wrestling events.

They’re dedicated bunch that want to make names for themselves through the sport and I’m happy that their dedication is paying off’, he said.