4 GCI Boys Wins Silver WIth Oyo State Hockey Team At The 2018 National Sports Festival

The 19th National Sports Festival currently, ongoing at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja features 37 sports, hockey inclusive; with a landmark participation of 8861 athletes and officials drawn across the 36 states of the federation and FCT - the host city.

The Oyo State Hockey Team coached by Yemi Siyanbola (1991-January) had 4 GCI boys - Ayomide Usman (2009), Toluwani Odedokun (SSS 3), Tobi Olowoyeye (2007) and Samuel Oladiran (2008) in the First Eleven of the team.

The team had earlier slugged it out with their counterparts from FCT, Abuja and Delta State, and knocked them out by 4 goals to nil and 3 goals to 2 respectively in the preliminary stage. The Pacesetter team proceeded to play Plateau State team at the semi-final stage and defeated them
by 3 goals to 2 to reach the final stage of the competition. In the final contest with Kaduna State team, the Oyo State Hockey team lost on sudden death penalties after a goalless draw to claim a silver medal at the just concluded Hockey competition of the 2018 National Sports Festival in Abuja. Ayomide Usman (2009) of Oyo State team was adjudged and recognised to be the Outstanding Player of the tournament.

Encomiums and commendations from the management of Government College Ibadan, and members of Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association have since been showered on the team coach, Yemi Siyanbola of the 1991-January Set for his relentless efforts in ensuring that the game of hockey does not go into extinction in GCI, and also his selfless services in promoting the sport in GCI.

The Oyo State Honourable Commissioner of Youths and Sports, Hon. Abayomi Oke who was at Abuja with the State teams applauded the coach and his boys for making Oyo State placed among the first five on the medal table, and second (after Lagos) among the southwestern states.

Oyo State as at the end of the Hockey competition on Thursday, 13th of December, 2018 occupied the 5th position, having won 37 medals comprising 9 gold, 11 silver and 17 bronze. Delta, Rivers, Kano and Lagos states occupied the first four positions respectively.

Picture description, L-R

1. Ayomide Usman (2009)
2. Toluwani Odedokun (SSS 3)
3. Yemi Siyanbola (1991-January) - Team Coach
4. Tobi Olowoyeye (2007)
5. Samuel Oladiran (2008)