Enugu State witnessed an intense flurry of sporting activities on Tuesday, February 26, 2025, as teams from across the South East zone began their battle for qualification to the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games,” set to take place in Ogun State.
Day one of the South East Zonal Elimination for Team Sports delivered thrilling action across multiple venues, keeping fans and officials engaged.
Competitions were spread out across the Indoor Sports Hall of Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, where basketball games were held, while handball and volleyball matches took place at the outdoor courts.
Cricket and hockey were played at the Sports Centre of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), while male and female football teams competed at the Rangers Training Ground.
Cricket Success for Ebonyi and Abia
In women’s cricket, Ebonyi and Abia secured the two available tickets to Abeokuta. Ebonyi clinched the top spot with 81 runs in six overs, losing only one wicket, while Abia managed 38 runs in six overs with the loss of two wickets.
Basketball and Volleyball Battles
Enugu fell short in the male basketball event, losing 28-22 to Imo, while Abia dominated Anambra with a convincing 43-28 victory. In the female category, Anambra overpowered Ebonyi 37-11.
The male volleyball games saw Abia State continue their impressive form with a 3-0 win over Enugu, while Anambra mirrored that dominance with a 3-0 triumph over Imo.
With matches set to climax on Thursday, the final list of qualified states from the South East zone will be determined, sealing their spots for the National Sports Festival scheduled from May 16-30, 2025, in Ogun State.
