Team Bayelsa's participation at the South-South Zonal elimination ahead of the National Sports Festival coming up in Ogun State, got off to a flying start with victories in different sports.
In beach volleyball, Bayelsa in beat host, Edo State 2-0 while the state's volleyball male team took their opponent to the cleaners. In the first volleyball contest of the day, Bayelsa beat Delta 3-0; 18-25, 19-25, 22-25 before triumphing 3-0 against Edo with 25- 21, 25-11, 25- 19 to qualify for the volleyball male event of the National Sports Festival, slated for May this year.
Bayelsa basketball female team beat Delta 46-31 and will next face Edo State on Wednesday at Emotan College, Wire Road, Benin City. Bayelsa hockey male team however lost in their first game 2-1 to Delta while the female team on the other hand pipped Edo 1-0. Hockey male team which had earlier lost 1-2 to Delta bounced back to keep their qualification hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Edo State.
Bayelsa female hockey team needs just a draw to qualify for the NSF proper while the male team will have to defeat their opponents to be in Abeokuta, Ogun State in May.
In Abula, Rivers beat Bayelsa male team 2-1 but the Bayelsa team bounced back with wins over Edo and Delta states while Bayelsa abula female team defeated host Edo. It was sad news for the Bayelsa handball team as they lost to Akwa Ibom and Delta State.
Bayelsa football male team lost 3-0 to Edo in their first encounter, drew goalless against Delta while hostilities will resume in the female football event on Wednesday at the Christian Club pitch off Airport Road, Benin City.
An elated Bayelsa volleyball coach, Jeffrey Osas praised his lads' determination and commitment throughout the game, stating that the lads are determined to give the state a good representation at the fiesta.
Also, multiple award-winning basketball coach, Tony Nelson, hailed his girls' team spirit, attributing the teams' victory to hard work, pointing out that their priority was to secure qualification.
The National Sports Festival (NSF) proper comes up in Ogun State between May 16 and 30, 2025.
