As the South-West Zonal Elimination Playoffs for team sports draw closer, Team Osun’s handball, hockey, volleyball, and beach volleyball teams have intensified their training in preparation for the competition, scheduled to take place from February 23-28, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The playoffs serve as qualifiers for the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games, set to be hosted in Ogun State from May 16-30, 2025.
The South-West Zonal Director of the National Sports Commission, Evelyn Fabunmi, confirmed on Tuesday in Ibadan that the elimination playoffs will be held at two approved venues: Obafemi Awolowo Stadium and Ilaji Sports Resort. According to Fabunmi, the competition will be conducted simultaneously across the country’s six geo-political zones and will feature eight ball games: basketball, hockey, cricket, football, handball, volleyball, abula, and beach volleyball.
In light of this, Team Osun’s coaching staff, speaking at the Osun State Sports Council, revealed that their teams are in camp and training rigorously to ensure optimal performance at the zonal eliminations. Handball head coach, Joshua Aogo, expressed confidence in the team’s preparation and credited the state government for its unwavering support of sports development.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to qualify for this year’s National Sports Festival,” Aogo stated. “The government under the leadership of Senator Ademola Adeleke and his deputy, who also serves as the commissioner for sports in Osun State, has been instrumental in revitalizing sports. Their gesture of rewarding medal-winning athletes has greatly motivated our players to strive for excellence. We appreciate their support and hope it continues as we aim to make Osun proud.”
Team Osun is set to compete in all the ball games and aims to secure substantial representation at the Gateway Games in May 2025. With rigorous training and a strong support from the Osun State Government , the team remains hopeful of making a significant impact in the upcoming competitions.
