The Ondo State Government may award a scholarship to the youngest medalist at the just-ended sixth edition of the National Schools Sports Festival in Ilorin, an official said on Sunday.

The representative of the state's Commissioner for Sports at the festival, Mrs Eunice Akinniyi, said "this may be because the state governor is a lover of sports and children".


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abigail Akinola of Team Ondo emerged the youngest medalist at the festival at the age of five.

She won bronze in the 22kg category of the judo event, after Team Cross River's Esther Bassey and Aisha Ajisegiri of Lagos had won the event's gold and silver respectively.

"Gov. Olusegun Mimiko is a lover of sports and children, and I will not be surprised if he decides to give Akinola scholarship for the entire duration of her educational career," Akinniyi said.

She said Akinola's feat would ensure that sports activities would be promoted greatly in the state.

Akinniyi expressed delight at the state's participation at the festival which ended on Saturday, Nov. 30 in Ilorin.

She also commended the host state, Kwara, for hosting the games successfully in spite of the short notice.

NAN reports that Team Ondo finished fourth on the final medals table with 32 gold, 46 silver and 56 bronze medals.(NAN)