NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Gateway Games Ogun 2024 opens gates to innovation with digitalisation
It will be a first of its type as the Games of the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival gets its own apps aiming to revolutionise the overall experience of what will easily pass as the best edition ever.
Never before in the past 50 years had a mobile application been developed for the National Sports Festival.
But the 2024 edition, codenamed “Gateway Games” is opening new gates for innovation.
It is at the verge of a revolution that will give the attendees, the athletes, organisers and sponsors a new experience by the leverage of a state-of-the-art technology .
A mobile app is being develop that will take the Gateway Games beyond the confines of Nigeria, giving the global audience a real-time experience on their mobile phones and computers.
According to Abiola Odetola, who is working on the digitalizing the Gateway Games, two companies, VerveTree Global Resources and Karpos Creation Limited are working on the development of the cutting-edge app.
While making a presentation to the Local Organising Committee at a retreat at the sumptuous facilities of Beyond Limits Football Academy in Ikenne, Odetola remarked that he gained inspirations from experiences at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and organisers’ preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
He disclosed that spectators and fans will enjoy real-time access to event schedules, live streaming and athletes’ profiles.
“This will foster deeper connection of the people with the sports they love”, remarked Odetola. The package will feature personalised schedules for the athletes and teams.
The organisers and volunteers will also benefit from the robust event management tools, ensuring efficient coordination and a seamless execution of the festival.
It will also be a haven for sponsors and partners of the National Sports Festival as they will gain unparalleled brand visibility through strategic integrations and promotional opportunities.
The app will also serve as event management tool for volunteers registration as well as for logistics and coordination.
It will give access to real-time data on attendance, ticket sales and venue capacities.
Apart from being a social media integration tool, the app developers also disclosed that it will be an efficient communication channels for coordinating with volunteers, staff and stakeholders.
It will enable spectators and fans, especially those outside Ogun State to browse and book accommodation listed by the hospitality partners.
It also becomes useful for emergency communication, especially the ones that require rapid response and security issues.
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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