As the clock ticks down to the Opening Ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival later this month, host Sports Commissioner, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, has assured that the Games will be declared as “best of the best” at the conclusion.

He made the remarks as he took some media men round the upgraded facilities at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, hub of the upcoming festival and the Alake Sports Centre, where some indoor games as well as handball will be held.

Remarkably, the facilities have undergone a tremendous upgrade as the facade of the stadium wears a new look, while the new athletics tracks have also been laid.

The football pitch is now lush green following the laying of hybrid astroturf.

The sports commissioner, Isiaka, who credits the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for the transformation, pointed out that the enclosed VVIP pavilion at the stadium has been expanded to accommodate nearly 150 guests, up from the previous capacity of fewer than 50 guests.

He affirmed that nearly all facilities are completed, with the few remaining undergoing final touches and scheduled to be ready before the festival gets underway.

“We are fully prepared. The facilities speak for themselves,” Hon. Isiaka said during the tour. “We are working around the clock to ensure every necessary structure is in place.

“By the time the games begin, Ogun State will be more than ready.”

More astonishing is the transformation and nearly remodelling of the Alake Sports Centre. A visitor who last got to the centre six months ago will be pleasantly surprised at the new look facility.

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The National Sports Commission, NSC has expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of Ogun state ahead of the fast approaching 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, holding from May 16-30.

The Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade who doubles as the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, MOC, gave the remarks when he led a joint team of members of both the Local and Main Organising Committees, for the inspection of the facilities earmarked for the Games.

” This inspection is not only important because of the aesthetics but because technically we have been battling with what we want to do with Athletics and the throws in particular.

“But we have now agreed with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, that the throws will take place at the MKO stadium because of the kind of Astroturf that has been put there, and that for me it’s the most gratifying thing about this inspection”.

” We really need to thank the State Governor Dapo Abiodun, for the kind of work that is ongoing with all the facilities.

“Now the entire gamut of athletics will now be done at the MKO stadium. And Inside the Stadium, the Governor has taken the issue of security to a whole new level with every Public Address System having a camera.

“The 360 environment of the stadium is covered with World Class cameras that can give real time pictures of activities”, he said.

The DG also led his team to inspect all other facilities including the Abeokuta Golf course where he assured of the commission’s commitment to assist with providing some of the needed equipment which he said will serve as legacies.

” I hope as we support you in all of these, the effect of what we are doing will also be felt by the indigent children who live around this golf course”.

All the facilities billed for the Games are currently wearing a new look with many of them almost ready for the start of what is expected to be one of the best organised Games in the history of the National Sports Festival.

The Inspection of facilities was concluded with a joint technical meeting of all Federation Secretaries, states’ director of Sports, and members of both Local and main Organising Committees, as the National Sports Commission and the Ogun State Government put the finishing touches to their bid of staging a World class Games.

The inspection of the facilities also coincided with the official unveiling of the Festival Logo, Theme song and Mascot with the Ogun State Government reassuring everyone of hosting a Premium event.

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The communication materials for the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games, have been unveiled.

The materials include the Games’ logo, theme song, and mascot. The three were unveiled at a colourful ceremony at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta. The Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele stood in for the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

The logo is mainly in Ogun State theme colours of lemon green and yellow. The unveiling of the logo was immediately followed by that of the Theme Song of the Festival.

The logo of the 22nd National Sports Festival

The theme song — rich in rhythm and spirit is titled ‘E’kaabo’ a Yoruba word for ‘Welcome’ as Ogun State prepares to welcome thousands of athletes, officials, tourists and VIPs when the 22nd National Sports Festival comes alive on May 16. The Theme Song was composed by Dr Bayo Adepetun.

The jam-packed hall roared in excitement when the festival’s mascot was eventually unveiled. The mascot was brought to life by a brilliant team of Ogun State Ministry of Culture. It reflects the energy, cultural heritage, and aspirations of the Ogun State people.

Gateway Games’ mascot, Omo Ogun

Named, ‘Omo Ogun’, the animated version strolled on the stage and saluted the audience before getting down the stage to greet the dignitaries.  

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