NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
This is the festival of my dream, says Olopade
As the Games begin at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, after a colourful and spectacular Opening Ceremony, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olapade, has met with state delegates, assuring them of a groundbreaking event that will set new standards in the history of the games.
The entire sporting community in the country and beyond were thrilled with a spectacle embedded with a rich cultural display laced with world-class performances from the likes of Davido and Asa as the Games began with an Opening Ceremony of a world-class standard.
In his address, Olopade highlighted core values such as love, focus, discipline, and unity as the essence of the National Sports Festival.
He emphasized that the festival will not only be a celebration of sports but also a testament to integrity.
“Let medals be won with honour, not by crooked means,” he admonished, stressing the importance of fair play and true sportsmanship.
The DG salutes the unwavering support and backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his personal interest in Nigerian Sports, which has led to the current transformation going on in Nigerian Sports.
” We are where we are today revamping, reshaping and resetting our Sports ecosystem because of the vision of Mr President, the father of the country. He is why the National Sports Festival is now wearing a new look of world-class standard, and we will continue to thank him”.
He also lauded the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for his unwavering dedication to the success of the festival.
“Mallam Dikko has shown immense commitment and love for this project. That spirit must be cascaded down to every athlete and official,” he said.
Olapade expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his tremendous support in mobilising resources and empowering all stakeholders
He described the games as “a festival of modern times,” ready to place Ogun on the national and international sports map.
Welcoming all participants to the state, Hon. Olapade concluded emotionally, “Welcome to my story — a game I bid for, a journey that has my name written all over it.”
With anticipation building, Ogun 2024 is shaping up to be a landmark edition of the National Sports Festival — one that celebrates not just athletic excellence, but unity, passion, and the enduring Nigerian spirit.
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A seven-member management team has been inaugurated to manage the Rivers State contingent’s participation at the 2026 Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold in Edo State.
Former Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Chris Green, who has served four terms in that role, was named chairman of the committee charged with overseeing the preparations and welfare of Team Rivers for the regional multi-sport event, tagged Edo 2026.
Other members of the team are Professor Ken Anugweje, Comrade Emma Ndah, Obia Inyengiyikabo and Awele Salubi, while Emmanuel Jaja will serve as the committee’s secretary. Veteran sports journalist Sammy Wejinya was also appointed Media Head and Director of Communications of the team.
Speaking shortly after the inauguration, Green urged members of the committee to deploy their vast experience and expertise to ensure that the Rivers State contingent performs creditably at the games.
“Only the best in their respective fields have been selected to serve in the team, and I want to use this opportunity to charge all the appointed members to bring their wealth of experience to bear as we open yet another vista in the chapter of sports in Rivers State,” Green said.
The 2026 Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission, will be held in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 27, 2026.
The games are expected to feature competitions in 17 sports, with events taking place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and other designated venues across the host city.
The Niger Delta Games bring together athletes from states in the oil-producing region and are aimed at promoting sports development, unity and youth engagement across the Niger Delta.
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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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