Ogwuche guns for more gold as oil, gas games enter day four

Chevron’s Otokini Ogwuche was majestic on the chess board, where she dusted all comers to win the ladies’ event gold medal.

But even with that glittering metal on her neck, Ogwuche still wants more accolades at the 19th Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG 2024), which enters day four today.

The Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Complex Abuja has been a busy arena, with various events winding down to the semifinals and final stages.

Speaking after winning gold in the women’s chess, Ogwuche, who also won the title at the last edition, said: “It was fun. I am just too happy that I retained my gold medal. I think I need tougher challengers.”

She has also won gold and silver in swimming, where she took the 50 metres breaststroke and butterfly titles respectively.

“I am also in contention for the table tennis medal,” she said.

The battle for medals has been fierce at the on-going NOGIG, with table tennis one of the tough grounds.

It was a battle of wits between Joseph Adebayo of NCDMB and his counterpart representing Exxon Mobil in the men’s singles quarterfinal match.

Adebayo, who won the silver medal at the 18th edition, was victorious to sail to the semifinal.

“The match was good, both offensively and defensively. The guy from Exxon Mobil was good, I was lucky I had an edge over him,” said Adebayo, after his victory.

The women’s tennis final will be played today, with Princess Akata of PTI meeting Effiong Eje of Total Energies, while in the men’s singles category it will be an all-NNPC affair as Awin Ganjang and Williams Ibiba clash in the final.

The squash courts were not idle either, as Tope Fatoki of Shell defeated Banjo Onasanya of NNPC to advance to the final in the men’s veterans’ category. Ikechukwu Ewa of NLNG will clash with Gangangha Taridouy, representing NCDMB in the other semifinal.

Ewa is in the frame for double honours as he will also meet Jauro Rimantari of NNPC in the men’s singles semifinal. The other semifinal match will pit Lapo Faturoti of Shell against Joseph Amali of NNPC.