President Bola Tinubu has kicked off the Torch of Unity Movement for the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged the Gateway Games, which will take place in Ogun State from May 16 to May 30.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting sports development, describing sports as a unifying force and a catalyst for youth engagement, national cohesion, and economic growth.
“The games represent much more than just a competition of athletic skill; they embody the unity, strength, and resilience that define us as a nation,” Tinubu said.
He also called on the public and private sectors to contribute to Nigerian sports development, particularly in infrastructure expansion, talent identification, athlete nurturing, and sponsorship of sporting events.
Speaking at the flag off, Ogun Gov. Dapo Abiodun expressed his readiness to host a world-class event, welcoming more than 10,000 athletes.
He noted that elite Nigerian athletes such as Anthony Joshua and Tobi Amusan would attend the festival, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a global sporting powerhouse.
“As Nelson Mandela once said, sports can change the world. They can inspire and unite people in a way that little else can,” Abiodun said.
He thanked President Tinubu for ensuring peace in Nigeria, noting that “without peace, there will be no sports festival.”
Persecondnews reports that the Torch of Unity will travel across all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, symbolizing peace, strength, and solidarity.
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