The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival tagged “Gateway Games 2024” has been officially declared open in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
President Bola Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, charged the participating athletes to compete favourably with integrity in the spirit of true sportsmanship.
The opening ceremony held inside the main bowl of MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta also had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Governors of Anambra, Osun and Ekiti States respectively- Prof Charles Soludo, Abiodun Oyebamiji as well as Sen Ademola Adeleke.
The festival is believed to have attracted over 10,000 athletes holds between May 16 and 30, 2025.
President Tinubu, while declaring the sporting activity opened, said that sport remains the soul of Nigeria’s unity, noting that nothing unites the country like sport.
He said the government recognised sport as a way of life, hence the reorganisation of Sport administration to become a stand-alone National Sport Commission.
Tinubu said his government has broken the sport administration from the shackle of vested interest and politics, insisting that sport remains of the forces for national cohesion.
Speaking during the event, the host Governor, Abiodun described the opening ceremony as world – class and Ogun standard.
He said hosting NSF is not just an honour for Ogun, as it reflects the state’s commitment to national development.
Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, commended the Ogun state government for accepting to host the festival, which, he said demonstrated its commitment towards sports development.