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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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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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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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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This occurred while they were returning home from the just concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.

It was gathered that the bus conveying the majority of the contingent crashed about 50 kilometres from Kano after passing Kaduna State

It was further gathered that the bus conveying the athletes might have skipped off the Dakatsalle bridge and fell off it.

 The bus was carrying about 30 athletes.

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What began with a colourful and well-attended opening ceremony was brought to a fitting conclusion after days of intense competition, cultural celebration and youth participation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who declared the Games open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the event as a celebration of youth, diversity and national pride.

That message remained consistent throughout the festival as Ogun State welcomed over 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials from across the country.

A panoramic view of the glamorous closing ceremony

Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to excellence was evident in the organization and infrastructure that supported the Games.

The quality of the facilities and the smooth coordination of sporting events show that Ogun State delivered what many now describe as the most successful edition in the history of the National Sports Festival.

The Governor was praised for creating an environment that placed youth, sports and national unity at the centre of the conversation, further solidifying his reputation as a leader who supports development through sports and a youth-friendly governor.

Delta State emerged as the overall winner of the Games, finishing with 126 gold medals, 100 Silver medals, and 111 Bronze Medals and topping the medal table.

However, the success of the Gateway Games extended beyond medals. Anambra, Kogi and the invited junior athletes received special recognition for promoting gender balance among their teams, reinforcing the festival’s broader message of inclusion and equal opportunity.

Royalty, pomp and pageantry on display!

Throughout the Games, there were standout performances and moments of resilience that reflected the strength and potential of Nigerian athletes.

The cultural displays, musical showcases, and community engagement also contributed to making the experience a memorable one for participants and spectators alike.

The support of partners and stakeholders played a crucial role in the festival’s success. Their involvement helped ensure a well-rounded event that celebrated both athletic performance and national identity.
As the curtain falls on Gateway Games 2024, it is clear that this edition has raised the bar for future festivals.

Ogun State has not only hosted a national event, but it has also created a lasting impression of what is possible when planning, purpose and people come together.

The legacy of the Gateway Games will live on, reminding everyone that the future of Nigerian sports remains strong and fi lled with promise.

If you want to relive the moments from the games, catch the memories on these handles:
Instagram: @thegatewaygames24
Facebook: Gateway Games
X (Twitter): @gatewaygames_24
YouTube: @GatewayGames-24

During a surprise visit to the Alake Sports Centre, one of the venues for the Gateway Games, Oshonaike emphasised that while male players are making notable progress, the same cannot be said for their female counterparts.

“We need to build more girls in table tennis. The boys are doing well, but there’s been little improvement on the girls’ side. It’s still the same names we hear. We need fresh talent, and for that to happen, we must create more opportunities and competitions,” Oshonaike said.

The 25-time national champion decried the sharp decline in local tournaments, noting that the current calendar is inadequate for developing competitive athletes.

“In the past, we had about 10 to 12 competitions in a year. Now, we’re lucky to have even four. That’s not enough to grow world-class players,” she lamented.

She also stressed the need for international exposure, saying many talented Nigerian players are stuck competing only locally due to lack of funding.

“We can’t rely on just one name like Quadri Aruna to represent us globally. There are many gifted players, but without financial support, they can’t participate in international events or improve their rankings. We need to send them to junior and senior World Table Tennis (WTT) competitions,” she said.

Oshonaike, who was drawn to the festival after hearing glowing reports from her international network, praised the organizers and expressed joy at the enthusiasm within the sports hall.

“Yes, the hall is hot and crowded, but the energy here is beautiful. It’s amazing to see both local and foreign-based athletes competing. This shows table tennis is still very loved in Nigeria,” she noted.

Funke Oshonaike is a 25-time national champion, 11-time African Games medallist, and three-time continental champion.

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Wasiu Isiaka, the commissioner for Sports in Ogun State, has praised his principal, Gov. Dapo Abiodun, for being the pillar that has made the state contingent to the 22nd National Sports Festival rise above expectation to place third among competing 38 teams.

Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Wasiu Isiaka

“This is our best moment, and we shall build on it”, he told Sports Village Square. Team Ogun, a hitherto medium power, rose above expectations to beat some traditional National Sports Festival powerhouses and eventually came third.

Edo State and Lagos were some powerhouses that ran out of gas following the frenetic performance of Team Ogun.

“Great thanks to my governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. He has been a source of inspiration,” Isiaka said. He congratulated the governor not just for the success of Team Ogun. He also acknowledged the helmsman’s 65th birthday and sixth anniversary as governor of Ogun State.

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Whilst the quality of the Games’ opening ceremony is still getting tongues wagging, the entire sporting family and beyond are now anxiously looking forward to what the closing ceremony will look like.

The last 11 days have showcased Ogun state as a true Sporting hub with the potential to even do more, with the quality of the facilities built for the games and the enthusiasm of the people who made the various venues their second home in the last few days.

A big testament to this was the history-making crowd that attended the male football final between Ogun State and Kwara State, which the host won by 4-1.

The MKO stadium was filled to full capacity while the crowd outside watching from the big screen reminds one of how much Sports is truly the soul of our togetherness as a country.

From the Alake Sports centre in Ijeja and the Baptist Boys’ High School, to the Obafemi Awolowo square and the Remo stadium, both in Ikenne, to the NYSC orientation camp in Shagamu, and the Ilisan town hall in Ilisan, the festival never lacked spectators throughout the games.

The Games lived up to the pre-tournament hype as both the National Sports Commission, NSC, and the Ogun state Government pulled out every administrative capacity to ensure both athletes, officials, and the media had an unforgettable experience.

The Gateway Games 2024 had been full of exciting drama and intrigues amongst the states and athletes, which led to different new records being set and some old records being shattered.

The festival has also produced for the country some new exciting young talents especially with the shocking performance of the 38th state, the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), where they ended up winning some surprised medals to justify the Commission’s establishment of the initiative.

As the Closing ceremony holds on Thursday, the leadership of the National Sports commission, NSC, expresses its profound gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ogun State Government for making sure millions of Nigerian youths see a renewed brighter future in the country through the National Sports Festival.

The NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dilko said ” our overwhelming gratitude goes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his personal commitment to the development of Nigerian Sports by giving us every support financially and otherwise for the success of this festival”.

” And the Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, also deserves huge praise for the feat we all recorded with these games. I can’t thank him enough, and posterity will surely remember him for good “.

The NSC Director General, who is also the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the games, Hon Bukola Olopade, also extended his gratitude to all the technocrats behind the scenes who are responsible for the successful organisation of the games.

All the members of the Main organising committee and various sub committees have shown incredible dedication. The local organising committees and all our technical officials in the various sports have also been outstanding. Your dedication has been incredible.

The media and our athletes have also contributed immensely. Every success that everyone is talking about concerning these Games belongs to you all.”

” Yes, it was not a perfect festival because we acknowledged we had also some challenges. Let me assure everyone that some of the challenges are already being worked upon. This is ahead of the next Games holding in Enugu State next year”, he concluded.

The Closing ceremony is expected to bring together top Government functionaries and captains of industries. There will also be a rich cultural display of the state.

Ogun State will officially pass the baton of hosting to Enugu State. This will be for the 23rd edition of the Games. The Games will occur in September 2026.

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Not only has he had one of the best editions of Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games, but he is also celebrating his 65th birthday as well as his sixth anniversary as a governor.

Moreover, the third position of Team Ogun also adds icing to the triple celebration cake. It has been one of the best outings of his team, which also won what could be likened to a Blue Riband – gold medal of the men’s football event.

The closing ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival will be held this Thursday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.

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