NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Ogun State citizens reap economic gains from the Gateway Games 2024
Food vendors and other small business owners are enjoying a significant economic boost from the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games 2024, which has firmly placed Ogun State on the global sporting map.
Commercial activities have taken over nearly every available space from the bustling MKO Abiola Sports Complex to the Alake Sports Centre and the Babcock University Hostel. The vibrant business environment underscores the economic benefits of hosting a major sporting event like the National Sports Festival.
Economic boom for citizens as Gateway Games provides an avenue for brisk business.
For the Ogun State government, the festival has already proven financially rewarding, with vendors contributing several millions of naira in fees to the state’s coffers.
One food vendor, popularly known as Mama Ibeji, shared her experience:
“In the last four days, business has been booming, especially since Wednesday, when most of the state contingents arrived in Abeokuta. Initially, when we started operations on Sunday, May 18, there were few customers. But by Tuesday, things picked up significantly. We hope events like this continue to come to Ogun State so we can keep supporting our families.”
However, not all vendors have seen immediate success. A jewellery seller from Lagos expressed concern over slow sales but remained optimistic:
“I’ve participated in the last three National Sports Festivals—in Abuja, Rivers, and Edo—and Ogun is no different. Business usually starts slow, but it picks up toward the end when athletes receive their allowances. I’m confident we won’t leave Ogun State without making a profit.”
As the festival progresses, vendors are hopeful that the influx of athletes, officials, and spectators will continue to drive sales. This trend reinforces the broader economic impact of sports tourism in the region.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The old order has been restored as the Games of the 22nd National Sports Festival conclude their first week of competition. Delta State has regained the top position, pushing down the initial leaders, Bayelsa State.
As at the close of competition on Friday, Delta State have amassed 34 gold, 12 silver and 28 bronze medals to take their haul to 74. Bayelsa State have a total of 61 medals comprising 32 gold, 14 silver and 15 bronze medals.
Delta’s resurgence came from the swimming events as they fished out medal after medal. Delta State also dominated the taekwondo events, which have been concluded. A haul of five gold, two silver and four bronze medals propelled Delta to the summit of the table.
Rivers State is third with 15 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals, giving the South South states an almost complete dominance of the festival.
The topmost state outside the South South is Ogun State, which hosts. They are fourth with a total of 42 medals, comprising 11 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze medals.
The competition continues Saturday as badminton comes to an end and table tennis takes the centre stage at the Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta. Meanwhile, the athletics events enter the second day.
Follow the live medals table here.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Delta State reaffirmed its supremacy in taekwondo by emerging as the overall champion at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024.
The five-day event, held at Ilisan Town Hall, saw the defending champion clinching an impressive haul of five gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.
Delta’s dominance was particularly evident in the Poomsae (demonstration) category, where they secured gold in the male and female team events, as well as the pair event. National champions Olusola Olowookere and Kolade Paul added to the tally with gold medals in the men’s lightweight and middleweight divisions, respectively, helping Delta top the medal table.
Oyo State finished second overall with three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals, while Osun State came third, securing three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
Host state Ogun placed fourth with two gold, five silver, and three bronze medals. Bayelsa and Rivers States also claimed two gold medals each, but Bayelsa edged ahead with two silver and six bronze medals, compared to Rivers’ lower medal count.
Speaking on the quality of competition, Victor John, Technical Director of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, praised the event’s competitiveness and the emergence of promising new talent.
“I’m excited by the hunger and potential shown by the new athletes. We’ve identified several for the national camp. While many are still raw, with proper training and exposure, they can become world-class competitors,” John said.
“This year’s festival showcased high-quality bouts across all weight categories. We hope this momentum continues across states to build a strong national team for future events like the African Games and Olympic qualifiers,” he added.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Five-time world champions Golden Eaglets have zoomed into the semifinals of the football event of the 22nd National Sports Festival ongoing in Ogun State.
Abdulmuiz Adeleke, who netted the first goal in the 2-1 win over Edo State on Monday, came up big with a brace against Ebonyi State in Friday morning’s quarter-final encounter, which the Eaglets won 5-0 to sail into the last four.
Mohammed Imrana, scorer of the second goal against Edo State, was also among the goals, though he was unlucky to bag a red card in the closing minutes of the encounter. Destiny Samuel and Emmanuel Ochigbo were the other scorers.
On Thursday, the Flamingos drew 0-0 with Lagos State. They lead their group B with five points, ahead of Friday evening’s final group stage clash with Enugu State, who are pointless.
Delta and Lagos State are fast on the Flamingos’ heels with four points each.
Osun State leads the four-team group A with seven points, with Ogun and Edo States on five and four points respectively.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- EUROPA League4 days ago
UEFA Europa League final head-to-head record: Tottenham vs Manchester United
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Inimitable Remo Stars present the most glamorous victory parade in Nigeria
- NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL6 days ago
Gateway Games Opening Ceremony: A Night of Stars, Sports, and Excitement
- NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL5 days ago
Six athletes disqualified from the Gateway Games over doping issues
- NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL3 days ago
LIVE MEDALS TABLE: Bayelsa maintains lead at Gateway Games
- Uncategorized1 week ago
National Sports Festival torch lands in Abeokuta ahead of the opening ceremony
- NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL5 days ago
Invited Junior Athletes set early mark at Gateway Games 2024
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
A repeat of 1997 final as Morocco, South Africa contest U20 African title