The football teams of Lagos and Ondo States on Thursday in Ibadan qualified for the forthcoming 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) slated for Ogun in May.
They secured their qualification tickets at the South-West Zonal Elimination Competition for the NSF, holding at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that teams from four states —- Lagos, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti —- featured in the male football event.
Teams from Oyo, Lagos and Osun were the only ones which registered for the female category
In the male category, Lagos led Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti with five points from three matches while Ondo state clinched the second available ticket with four points from three matches.
NAN reports that, in the female category of the event, Osun and Lagos states qualified to represent the zone after securing four and three points respectively.
Speaking on the competition, the Ondo state male football coach, Akintomide Akinwande, said commended the competition organisers and the officiating personnel for ensuring a level-playing ground for all participants.
“They made all things possible for the teams from the states to showcase their skills.”
He however urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to get ready all necessary facilities for the Festival in May so as to ensure a smooth exercise.
Teams from five of the six states in the south-west geo-political zone —- Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, Ondo and Oyo —- participated in the zonal qualifying competitions which began on Monday.
The zone’s other state —- Ogun —- have already qualified for all the events by virtue of being hosts.
