NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Gateway Games 2024: Scientific Congress calls for innovative technology in sports management, athlete performance analytics
To align Nigeria with global standards in sports management and athlete performance analytics, stakeholders at the two-day Scientific Congress, held during the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, have emphasised the need for the deployment of innovative technology.
The Scientific Congress, themed “Strategies for the Development of a Viable Sports Economy in Nigeria: Merging Market Dynamics with Sports Medicine Excellence,” was successfully convened by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
It brought together key stakeholders, including sports practitioners, policymakers, medical professionals, scholars, and athletes, to strategically integrate sports management and medical innovations to advance the Nigerian sports sector.
In the communique issued and signed by the President of the Nigeria Association of Sports Medicine (NASMED), Dr. Olajide Joseph Adebola, several key recommendations were outlined. These include the strengthening of public-private partnerships, incentivizing corporate involvement in sports development, and the adoption of innovative technology for sports event management and athlete performance analytics.
The Congress also called for a comprehensive review and reinforcement of the national sports regulatory framework, with greater investment in specialized sports medicine research, professional training, and healthcare infrastructure emphasized as crucial to sustaining athlete performance and safety.
To combat doping, stakeholders recommended the immediate implementation of comprehensive safeguarding and anti-doping policies aligned with international standards. Additionally, they advocated for the establishment of dedicated rehabilitation centres that offer holistic care, including psychological support and advanced medical services, and the development of robust sports injury insurance policies to provide both financial and medical support for athletes.
The Congress further urged NIPSS to convene a high-level stakeholder forum focused on sports, economic opportunities, and job creation for Nigerian youth, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope reform agenda.
Highlights from the event included the call for innovative financial models, the exploration of digital media, consumer behaviour analytics, and sponsorship innovations. The Congress emphasized the importance of creating favourable policies to attract private sector investments and adopting a structured approach to sports commercialization.
Recommendations also included leveraging technology-driven solutions for logistics and event management to elevate the quality and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s national sports events.
Emphasis was placed on individualized injury prevention strategies, psychological support systems, and effective rehabilitation programs. The establishment of specialized athlete rehabilitation centres focusing on both physical and mental recovery was also proposed.
The Congress acknowledged the valuable support of NIPSS and the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
Stakeholders pledged a firm commitment to the collaborative implementation of the outlined strategies. It was unanimously agreed that these efforts would significantly contribute to building a robust, economically vibrant, and ethically sound sports environment in Nigeria, enhancing the nation’s reputation on the international stage.
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The Leadership of the Africa Sports Management Association (ASMA) has joined others in mourning the 22 athletes of Kano State who died on their way back from the just concluded National Sports Festival.
In a statement signed by its president, Prof. Oluwaseun Omotayo, the association remarked that it received with shock the news of the fatal motor accident that claimed the lives of the 22 Kano State athletes.
“The purpose of this message is to express deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragic accident.
“Africa Sports Management Association (ASMA) leadership commiserate with the National Sports Commission, the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Kano State Governor and the Kano State Sports Commission, Ogun State Governor and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the entire Nigerian sports community “, the statement concluded.
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The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, has expressed condolences to the Kano State Government. They expressed sympathy for the tragic incident involving members of the Kano State contingent. These members were returning home after participating in the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.
A bus conveying the athletes was said to have been involved in a crash at the Dakatsalle Bridge in the Kura Local Government area of Kano State after passing Kaduna state, claiming the lives of 21 athletes.
The Executive Secretary of the LOC, Dr Kweku A. Tandoh, remarked: “We are saddened by this incident, particularly with the death of these young people, budding stars who had a lot to give the country with their talent, skills, and creativity in sports.
“Words cannot adequately express the sorrow the LOC feels at this loss.
“We offer our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the departed ones, and we pray that God will comfort the families.
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Ogun State Governor, and chief host of the just concluded Gateway Games, Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic ancident involving members of the Kano State contingent who were returning home after participating in the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) held in Ogun State.
A bus conveying the athletes crashed about 50 kilometres from Kano. It had passed through Kaduna State. The crash claimed the lives of 20 athletes.
Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday, said the incident had left him completely traumatized.
The athletes were vibrant young people. They were looking forward to a warm reception from their fans and families. The athletes had proudly donned the colours of Kano State at the just-concluded Gateway Games 2024. They had a bright future ahead of them.
Abiodun expressed condolences to the government and people of Kano State over the incident. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the athletes.
He stated that they were heroes whose patriotism and commitment to the cause of Kano State will never be forgotten. Their dedication to Nigeria as a whole will also be forever remembered.
He said: “It is indeed saddening and distressing. Twenty gallant athletes who had represented Kano State at the just concluded Gateway 2024 games have lost their lives. The circumstances are most traumatising and painful.
“This is so painful. These were young people, budding stars who had a lot to give the country with their talents, skills, and creativity.
“In particular, it is tragic that their beloved family members, who were looking forward to receiving them after a memorable outing at the National Sports Festival, will never get to see their beautiful faces again.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with their families and friends at this terrible hour.
“Having represented Kano with pride and distinction and made friends with their compatriots from across the 36 states, the athletes were heading home with joy, only for their lives to be cut short just before setting foot on Kano soil.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident, and we pray that Almighty Allah grants them eternal rest.
“I commiserate with His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and his cabinet, the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Bala Fagge, and the people of Kano State over this most tragic and unfortunate incident.
“May we never witness this kind of incident again.”
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