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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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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