The 22nd National Sports Festival, dubbed the Gateway Games, commenced in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital on Sunday evening with a star-studded colourful opening ceremony.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka graced the packed MKO Abiola Sports Complex alongside a host of governors, Persecondnews reports.
Notably, Governors Charles Soludo (Anambra), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), as well as members of the national and state legislatures, were also present.
Other attendees included former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, former Ogun State governors Olusegun Osoba and Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun East Senatorial District, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, a son of the soil.
The 22nd sports festival will hold from May 18 to May 30 with athletes competing in at least 23 events.
Persecondnews recalls that Team Delta won the 21st edition of the NSF in Asaba with 320 gold medals, 200 silver medals and 128 bronze medals.Team Bayelsa came second followed by Team Edo in third place.
Declaring open the sports festival, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged all participating athletes to compete with integrity and the spirit of sportsmanship.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, expressed optimism that the Torch of Unity, lit at the commencement of the game would serve purposes more than that of unity, stressing that sports has for several decades, placed Nigeria on global map, for which the country has been able to walk taller among comity of nations.
He commended the festival organizers, particularly the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko and his deputy, for their renewed hope initiative for Nigeria’s sports economic framework.
Tinubu also commended the host Governor Dapo Abiodun, for the hospitality, which the participating athletes have enjoyed since they arrived in the state, stressing that Ogun State has further consolidated itself as not only the Gateway to knowledge, but one that encompasses all that the nation desires.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Abiodun said the state was hosting the festival to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to national development.
Abiodun, who disclosed that Ogun State is currently hosting over 10,000 athletes and coaches, allayed the fear of insecurity, emphasizing that his administration, in conjunction with the NSC, has put in place effective security arrangements that guarantee the safety of every participant.
The governor reaffirmed the state’s commitment to building a future where talent is nurtured and hard work is rewarded.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to building a future where talent is nurtured, hard work is rewarded, and Ogun State remains a beacon of excellence,” Abiodun said.
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