- Yewa College wins female category
The Iganmode warriors defeated their Abeokuta opponent, the Ijemo Titun High School boys
After etching its name on sands of time following chains of successes in state and national academy competitions, Iganmode Grammar School, Otta in Ogun State has again demonstrated its prowess in sporting events when the revered school defeated all opponents to win the 2nd Chief Adetunji Jibowu Handball Competition for Secondary Schools in the state.
The competition which was staged at the Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital saw the Yewa College of Ilaro winning the female category of the contest.
The Iganmode warriors defeated their Abeokuta opponent, the Ijemo Titun High School boys, with 5-4, hence, taking home the coveted giant trophy and bountiful cash reward.
Similarly, girls from the Ilaro based Yewa College successfully defended the trophy won at the maiden edition held in 2019 after defeating their counterparts, the God’s Heritage Academy girls from Ipokia by 4 -1 in the final watched by handball veterans from the state and across the country.
But, in the third-place encounters, it was a mixed fortune for African Church Grammar School, Abeokuta as they won in the boys’ category by beating Adeoye Lambo Memorial School, Obada 3-1, while the female team lost 0 -3 to Macjob Grammar School also from Abeokuta.
Also, in the veteran match decided, Yellow Team led by George Adeyemi, Chairman, Ogun Handball Veterans defeated Green Team led by his Vice-Chairman by 4 – 3.
Adeyemi who is also known as Osawe, expressed satisfaction at the performance of all the teams, while he gave kudos to their coaches, officials for hitch-free and job well done.
He added that the future of handball is very bright while urging other well-meaning individuals to support the game just as sports should not be left in hands of the government alone to sponsor.
He also promised that there would be a huge improvement in the next edition next year adding that days of the competition would be expanded to accommodate more schools and playing time.
The Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council, Hon Gbenga Adewusi reportedly corroborated Adeyemi’s view on the future of the game in Nigeria, adding that all the veterans across the South West zone would do their power to ensure that the glory days of handball returned to the zone.
Also, in her remarks, Princess Folakemi Iyabode Rotimi, the Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council commended the organiser of the school sports competition for working in unity.
She hereby pledged the support of the council in ensuring that talents discovered would be properly monitored and nurtured to the national and international limelight.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the event was the presentation of trophies, certificates, medals and cash rewards to school teams, and individual players that excelled at the competition.
In the individual award, the Best Pivot award in the boys and girls category went to Adetolu Quadri of Ijemo Titun High School, and Rafiat Ishola of God’s Heritage Academy respectively.
The Most Valuable Player award in the boys’ cadre went to Yusuf Ogundimu of Iganmode Grammar School, while Jelilat Lateef of Yewa College won the girls category.
Recall that the handball competition was organised by Ogun State Handball Veterans under the leadership of Adeyemi George, aka Osawe in collaboration with the Ogun State Handball Association.
Source: newsnigeriaonline.com.ng