November 22, (THEWILL) – Ogun State is set to host between 12,000 to 15,000 athletes at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged *2024 Gateway Games*, scheduled to kick off in January 2024.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission and former Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the Games, Mr. Bukola Olopade, revealed this after a closed-door meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun and Premium Trust Bank CEO, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta.
Olopade expressed optimism that the festival would set a new benchmark in Nigeria’s sports history. He highlighted ongoing efforts by the LOC to establish an Olympic-standard Games Village to accommodate all athletes in one location—a first in the festival’s history.
He said, “The LOC has worked tirelessly to ensure we deliver the best sports festival in Nigeria.
“Governor Abiodun’s commitment to creating legacy projects around the games is commendable.
“When you visit facilities like the MKO Abiola Stadium, the Ijeja Sports Centre, and the improvements made at Babcock and Remo Stars Stadium, it’s clear that this administration is building world-class infrastructure that will serve the youth and athletes for decades to come.”
Olopade noted the addition of cutting-edge features, including a digitised feeding system to ensure athletes’ health and safety, a streamlined volunteer system, and a comprehensive transport network to shuttle participants between venues in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ikenne, and Babcock.
Olopade also revealed that approximately 200 journalists would be accredited to cover the event.
The LOC plans to provide accommodation and feeding arrangements for the media to guarantee seamless coverage of the festival.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, assured Nigerians that preparations were in top gear, with the LOC working round the clock to host a festival that surpasses all previous editions.
“Unlike the 15th edition hosted in Ogun State in 2006, where some events, like swimming, were held in hotels, the 22nd edition will fully utilise state-of-the-art facilities,” Isiaka said.
Premium Trust Bank’s CEO, Mr. Emefienim, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment as the lead sponsor of the Games, emphasising its dedication to fostering youth development and creating platforms for talent expression.
“As a sponsor, we are excited to partner with Ogun State to support sports development. This is an opportunity to empower young people and showcase their talents on a national stage,” Emefienim added.
