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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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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