The National Council on Sports has approved a fixed calendar for the National Sports Festival (NSF), scheduling it to take place between November and December of each year.
Persecondnews reports that this development aims to enhance operational effectiveness, athlete performance, and overall organization of the festival.
A statement on Thursday by the Special Assistant on Media, Office of the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Kola Daniel, said a fixed period for the NSF will improve participant engagement, financial and logistical efficiency, and marketing and sponsorship opportunities.
The Council also reaffirmed its decision to limit the number of sports at the festival to 32, comprising 27 compulsory sports and 5 optional sports.
The compulsory sports were selected based on their popularity, previous festival participation, and international performance standards.
The host state will have the flexibility to choose 5 optional sports from a list of 25 to feature in the festival. This move will help stabilize the number of sports and mitigate irregular changes affecting management and organization.
Persecondnews had reported that the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games,” is scheduled to take place from May 18-30, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The festival will bring together thousands of athletes from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory just as the the NSC has expressed appreciation to the Ogun State Government for its commitment to a succussful hosting of the festival.
Commenting on the development, NSC’s Director General Bukola Olopade noted that the fixed calendar and streamlined sports are expected to enhance the overall quality and competitiveness of the National Sports Festival.
“By aligning with international best practices, Nigeria’s sports calendar will become more stable and predictable, allowing for better planning and participation,” Olopade said.
The festival’s new format will likely attract more sponsors and improve athlete performance, contributing to the country’s sports development.
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