Plateau State secured five qualification slots as the North Central Zonal Elimination for the maiden National Intermediate Games ended in Jos on Saturday.
The state’s successful teams came from three sports, with both the male and female handball and hockey teams earning places at the National Intermediate Games in Lagos, while the rugby team secured an automatic qualification.
The zonal competition, which brought together teams from across the North Central Zone, provided the participating states with an opportunity to battle for representation at the national finals.
PLATEAU WOMEN’S HANDBALL BOOK LAGOS TICKET
Plateau’s female handball team secured one of the state’s qualification spots after overcoming Kwara 28-19.
The victory saw the Plateau side finish ahead of their only challenger and secure their place at the national stage.
The male handball team also qualified for the finals after their campaign in Jos, despite a dramatic contest with Kwara during the elimination.
HOCKEY TEAMS ALSO THROUGH
Plateau’s male hockey team secured their ticket after a closely fought contest against Kwara.
The game ended 2-2 after regulation time before Plateau prevailed 5-4 on penalties following extra time.
The result confirmed the male team as one of Plateau’s representatives at the National Intermediate Games.
The female hockey team also secured qualification, giving Plateau a double representation in the sport.
RUGBY QUALIFICATION COMES AUTOMATICALLY
Plateau’s fifth ticket came through rugby, with the state securing automatic qualification after no other state in the North Central Zone presented a team for the competition.
The qualification means Plateau will have representation in rugby when the National Intermediate Games move to the national stage in Lagos.
VOLLEYBALL MISSES OUT DESPITE LATE WIN
The male volleyball team was the only Plateau side that failed to secure a qualification ticket among the teams presented by the state.
After suffering defeats to Nasarawa and Kwara earlier in the competition, Plateau ended their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Niger.
However, the result was not enough to secure a place at the national finals.
FOCUS NOW SHIFTS TO NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL ELIMINATIONS
With the National Intermediate Games zonal elimination now concluded, attention in Jos will immediately turn to another major sporting engagement.
The National Sports Festival eliminations are scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 13, with Plateau set to compete in Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Cricket and Football.
All the scheduled competitions will take place at venues around Rayfield.
PLATEAU’S OPENING FIXTURES
Plateau will begin the next phase of competition with several fixtures on Sunday.
In basketball, Plateau’s male team will face the Federal Capital Territory at 8:00am at the Indoor Sports Centre, Rayfield.
Plateau will also take on Kwara in men’s cricket at 8:00am at the NSC Football Field, while the football team faces Kwara at 8:00am at the NTA Football Field, Rayfield.
In volleyball, Plateau’s male team will meet Kwara at 10:00am, while the female team faces Mass at 12:00 noon, with both matches scheduled for the High Flyers Volleyball Court in Rayfield.
With five National Intermediate Games tickets already secured, Plateau’s athletes will now look to carry that momentum into the next round of eliminations on home soil.