NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Gateway Games: Olopade Commends Ogun State’s Readiness to Host 22nd National Sports Festival
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 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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