Femi Atoyebi
30 September 2008
Yamousoukro — After three days of postponement of the second West Africa Polytechnics Games, due to his tight itinerary, Cote d'Ivoire President Laurent Gbagbo yesterday declared the games open though in the end he could only send the nation's Minister of Sports, Dagobert Bazio.
His message to the participants centered around unity, which he described as the most vital channel to foster peace in the region.
About 2, 500 student athletes from Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Togo and Ghana matched through the Institut Nationale Polytechnique, Yamousoukro sports complex, where the games are being held.
Artistes' performance, hoisting of the WAPOGA flag, traditional dances and gymnastic display were the highlights of the ceremony as the Mayor of Yamousoukro, Kouacou G. Jean also delivered an address.
In some of the matches earlier decided, Yaba College of Technology women beat Accra in basketball by 73-30 while Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti beat The Polytechnic, Ibadan by 37-18.
Tamale lost to the host (Institut Nationale Polytechnique, Yamousoukro) by 05-59. In the men's category, Yaba continued their impressive outing by beating the hosts by 46-37 making it their second win after earlier defeating their Nigerian counterparts from Kaura Namoda. Mali beat Accra 50-37 while Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi compounded Kaura Namoda's woes.
In football, Sunyani Polytechnic, Ghana played goaless with Yaba, but Barkin Ladi were not lucky, losing 2-0 to the hosts. They also lost their first match to Abia by a lone goal.
More matches will be decided tomorrow. In football, Federal Polytechnic Offa will entertain Barkin Ladi while Ede and Takoradi (Ghana) will take to the pitch later. Yaba will attempt to stop the hosts in handball as two Nigerian sides, Katsina and Abia also meet.
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