Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun believes the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) will set a new benchmark for future editions of the multi-sports event.

Apart from being the first host state to house all participating athletes under one roof, the Governor assured contingents, spectators, and residents of maximum security during the NSF, which will take place in Ogun State from May 16 to 30.

During a parley with journalists in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun highlighted that Babcock University has been chosen as the games village.

Over 10,000 athletes and officials will compete at the games in Ogun State. The Governor also named former Green Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, as Grand Sports Ambassador, emphasising the state’s readiness to break new ground with the sporting fiesta, which has revitalised all its sporting facilities.

“As the Gateway State, we want to set the pace for others to follow. For the first time in NSF history, all participating athletes and officials will be accommodated under one roof, just like it is done globally.

“They will be well catered for, with high standards of security and safety. Shuttle buses will convey athletes to their venues daily, and we will ensure the roads are clear for them during the games.

“We are excited to host the NSF and aim to make Gateway 2024 a benchmark for future games because, as the Gateway State, we want to lead while others follow,” the Governor said.

Abiodun also mentioned that the state government would use this opportunity to build a sports economy for the state. “Ogun’s business circle will experience a bumper harvest during the event, with major hotels fully booked and petty traders making brisk business,” he said.

The buildup to the 22nd National Sports Festival reaches a crescendo on Tuesday as Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State named Nigeria’s former football captain and an African legendary star, Segun Odegbami, as the Grand Sports Ambassador of Ogun State. Also appointed as ambassadors are athlete Tobi Amusan and boxing sensation Anthony Joshua.

The appointments were the high points of the governor’s media meeting with the sports editors of the mainstream media houses in the country.

Governor Abiodun presented the certificate appointing Odegbami, whose activities will go beyond the National Sports Festival.

“Permit me to use this opportunity to perform this ceremony of unveiling Chief Segun Odegbami as our grand sports ambassador.

“The National Sports Festival will come and go, but we’re already thinking of leveraging on the gains that will come from hosting the NSF.

“That’s where Odegbami will come in to help us maximise the sports economy.

“He had already given us the template of the Amsterdam Arena, which we intend to replicate at the MKO Abiola Stadium”

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“We are not just hosting for the fun, we are hosting to create the best impression ever”, Wasiu Isiaka, the Ogun State commissioner for Sports, has remarked as he braces up for the 22nd National Sports Festival.

He said that the state anthem, “Ise Ya”, which translates to “Call to Action”, is a mantra that will be very apparent when the festival begins next week.

He wears double caps. The first is to ensure that the festival runs smoothly. The second is to see that the team that falls squarely under his portfolio performs creditably and finishes at the top.

Towards this, Isiaka said that the Ogun State contingent, is a large one, numbering 742 and drawn across different disciplines.

He expressed confidence in the state’s readiness to compete favourably at the festival. He noted that the athletes are currently in camp, preparing diligently for the games.

“Apart from ensuring that we stage the best National Sports Festival, we are also ready to compete fairly against other teams as the host.

“Over 742 athletes in all sports will represent us at the 22nd edition of Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games. Our athletes are receiving adequate preparation, and they are all in camp, training earnestly for the games.

“We want to compete very well and ensure our athletes receive the right training ahead of the festival. Some of them are in Lagos, Ilaro, and across the state, working tirelessly for the event.

“We are aware of the pressure on them as host athletes, but we are allowing them to use some of the facilities that will be used for the games, so they can get accustomed to them before the festival,” Isiaka said.

 Beyond the festival, the commissioner emphasised the festival’s role in redirecting the focus of the state’s youth towards sports.

He mentioned that most of the facilities would be made available to the youth after the festival.

“We understand the impact of sports, and we don’t just want to host for hosting’s sake. We aim to galvanise the interest of the youth in sports. Apart from being a lucrative venture, sports teach life lessons like discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

“Our youth are our future, and Ogun State has always been at the forefront of discovering talents for the country.

“We want to continue this even after the festival, ensuring that all our facilities are judiciously used by our youth to empower themselves through sports,” Isiaka enthused.

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