Team Lagos and Oyo cricket teams on Wednesday in Ibadan qualified for the upcoming 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) slated for Ogun in May.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both teams qualified after emerging as the only participants in the cricket event at the South-West Zonal Elimination Competition for the NSF.
Teams from the six states in the southwest geopolitical zone—Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, and Oyo—were expected at the zonal qualifiers, which began on Monday.
NAN reports that in the male category of the event in Ibadan, Lagos won the toss and decided to field first.
With Oyo State batting in the first inning, Lagos scored 197 runs all out in 20 overs.
The second inning saw Lagos chasing and recording 86 runs out in 15.4 overs, leading to Oyo State winning by 11 overs to clinch first place.
In the female event, Oyo State won the toss and decided to field in the first inning, sending Lagos to bat first and score 132 runs all out in 19.3 overs.
In the second inning, Oyo State called and scored 53 runs all out in 11.5 overs, but Lagos won by 71 runs to clinch first place.
Speaking later, John Idakwo, the coach of Oyo State male and female cricket teams, attributed their qualification to hard work and dedication.
Idakwo told NAN that his cricketers gave their utmost to qualify.
“We came first in the male category and second in the female. We did well, and I’m very proud of my players.
“They played according to instructions and gave it their best,” he said.
The coach, however, added that work has just started for him and his teams, and there is still a lot to be done.
“We have to perfect all lapses and make sure that we present more formidable teams at the festival.
“We will now put more efforts into training so as to win the gold medals, which is our target,” he said.
NAN reports that the zonal competition ends on Friday, while the festival tagged “2024 Gateway Games” will hold from May 16 to May 30.(NAN)
