By Samuel Akpan live in Abeokuta
With just few hours before the opening ceremony, the countdown to the 2024 Gateway Games, athletes from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have converged on Ogun State’s capital city of Abeokuta for a spectacular celebration of sportsmanship, culture, and national unity.
Reporting live from the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, which kicks off today, May 16 and runs until May 31, Persecondnews correspondent from Abuja, Samuel Akpan, anticipates a thrilling competition.
All eyes will be on defending champions Delta State as they aim to extend their remarkable reign.
Indeed, Delta State has established a formidable legacy at the National Sports Festival, securing the top spot on the medals table in eight of the last ten editions.
This impressive streak includes consecutive victories in 2012, 2018, 2021, and 2022, making them the team to beat once again.
In the 21st edition held in Asaba in 2022, Delta State emerged top with an impressive haul of 320 gold medals, 200 silver medals, and 128 bronze medals. Bayelsa State came second, followed closely by Edo State in the third place.
“We are confident in our team’s abilities, and we are looking to continue our dominance,” boasted a Delta State team official.
However, with other states gunning for the top spot, it remains to be seen whether Delta State can maintain its position.
Records shattered at the 2022 National Sports Festival; the Festival in Asaba, Delta State, witnessed a spectacular display of athleticism, with several records being broken in various events.
One of the notable records broken during the festival was in the 4x200m freestyle women’s swimming event, where the Bayelsa State team comprising Ifiezibe Gagbe, Adaku Nkem Nwandu, Dorcas Oka, and Doutimi Gagbe broke the national and festival records.
They finished with a time of 9:28:30, surpassing the previous record of 10:00:53 set by Team Edo in 2021. Team Delta came second with a time of 9:56:28.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, a Nigerian-American track and field athlete, shattered the national hammer record, which had stood for 36 years.
Representing Delta State, Enekwechi threw a distance of 67.45m, eclipsing the previous record of 66.76m set by Christian Okoye in March 1986. This impressive feat showcased Enekwechi’s exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.
In cycling, Ese Ukpeseraye of Team Delta made history by winning eight gold medals, becoming the first female rider in recent times to achieve this feat. Her outstanding performance was a testament to her hard work and determination.
In the women’s cycling event, Tima Godless of Team Bayelsa State won the gold medal with a time of 11.32 seconds, while Okwose Faith of Team Delta took silver with a time of 11.50 seconds, and Ofoku Praise won bronze with a time of 11.57 seconds.
Notably, Team Oyo State also made history by setting a new record for the most gold medals won, with a total of 32 gold medals. This surpassed their previous record of 31 gold medals set at the 20th edition of the festival in Edo State.
The team’s impressive performance was a testament to their dedication and hard work.
In a groundbreaking moment, two American coaches, Chris Woods and Mark Quis from Mississippi State University, attended the athletics event, marking the first time in the history of the National Sports Festival that international coaches had visited the event.
The coaches were there to identify talents and offer scholarships to promising athletes, providing a unique opportunity for Nigerian athletes to showcase their skills and potentially secure scholarships to study and compete abroad.
More than just a sporting event, the National Sports Festival serves as a crucible where future champions are forged and legacies begin.
With hopeful anticipation and national pride, Nigeria eagerly awaits the emergence of its next sporting icon – an athlete who will proudly represent the nation on the world stage and carve their name into the history books.
A shining example of this is Mary Onyali, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated sprinters, whose talent was first recognized at the National Sports Festival.
Her journey led her to represent Nigeria at an impressive five Olympic Games, where she secured two bronze medals.
Another athletes who emerged from the festival includes Chika Chukwumerije, a Taekwondo expert, first rose to national prominence by winning gold at the 2002 National Sports Festival.
He went on to represent Nigeria at three Olympic Games and won a bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Yusuf Alli a legend in Nigeria’s long jump history, began his journey to greatness at the National Sports Festival. He represented Nigeria at three Olympic Games and remains a record-holder at the University of Missouri.
Ogun State, the host state of the Gateway Games 2024, has made extensive preparations to host the event.
According to Gov. Dapo Abiodun, the state has developed infrastructure, improved security, and promoted tourism.
“We are very deliberate about it,” Governor Abiodun stated. “We developed infrastructures, improved massively on security and other areas, then we moved onto tourism and also sports.”
The governor noted that the preparations are a testament to the government’s belief in the power of sports to unify, inspire, and drive development.
To further elevate the profile of the Games and inspire aspiring young athletes, Ogun State has enlisted the support of national sporting legends.
These prominent figures include former international football star Chief Segun Odegbami, world champion hurdler Tobi Amusan, and heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua.
With mere hours remaining until the commencement of the 2024 Gateway Games, a palpable sense of anticipation, excitement, and perhaps a touch of anxiety is sweeping across Nigeria.
The central question on everyone’s mind: will the formidable Delta State maintain its winning streak, or will a new champion emerge to seize the spotlight?
Adding to the intrigue, host state Ogun, along with other strong contenders, are poised to make this year’s edition a truly thrilling spectacle.
Beyond the athletic competition, the festival is projected to inject significant economic vitality into Ogun State.
The arrival of thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators is expected to provide a substantial boost to the local economy.
Businesses spanning hospitality, transportation, and retail, as well as numerous informal traders, stand to benefit considerably from the increased activities.
Attendees can anticipate a well-organized and engaging experience, featuring dedicated fan zones, live entertainment, readily accessible digital information, and enhanced security protocols designed to ensure a safe, interactive, and unforgettable atmosphere for all.
As Nigeria stands on the cusp of the 2024 Gateway Games, one fact remains undeniable: the competition will be intense, and the stakes incredibly high.
The ultimate question – will Delta State successfully defend its championship, or will a new state triumph? Only the unfolding events will reveal the answer (PSN).
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