Governor of Ogun State and chief host of the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, Dapo Abiodun, has remarked that the event will inspire more sports stars in Nigeria.
The festival, scheduled for May, will be held at various facilities in Abeokuta and the Ikenne-Remo axis.
Speaking at the flag-off of the games by President Bola Tinubu, Governor Abiodun expressed that Ogun State is eager to welcome the athletes, with all arrangements in place to ensure a smooth and successful tournament. He emphasized that Ogun State is committed to delivering a world-class sporting event that celebrates talent, promotes unity, and showcases the state’s excellence. “We worked hard to secure the hosting rights, and we want to use the festival to unearth more sports stars for Nigeria. We aim to inspire the next generation of athletes who will make the country proud at national and international tournaments. We’re ready, and hopefully, this can be the best National Sports Festival in the history of the games,” he said.
Also speaking at the event held at the Aso Villa, former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, lauded the governor’s interest in sports. He acknowledged that the state has produced some of the country’s finest athletes, including Falilat Ogunkoya and Tobi Amusan.
On Tuesday, March 26, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially flagged off the Unity Torch movement at a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Unity Torch, a symbol of peace and unity, highlights the importance of national cohesion through sports.
The 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games, Ogun 2024, is scheduled to take place in Abeokuta from May 16 to 30, 2025. Ogun State assured athletes, officials, and sports enthusiasts of a well-organized festival that will set new benchmarks in Nigeria’s sporting history.