Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), announced that the National Sports Festival has been rescheduled to May 16-30, 2025 in Abeokuta. The shift aims to allow the newly formed NSC to establish a robust sports economy.
This announcement was made during the conclusion of the 1st Joint Technical Meeting attended by 37 Directors of Sports, Technical Directors, Sports Federation Secretaries, the Main Organizing Committee (MOC), and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Previously, the federal government had set January 12-28, 2025, as the dates for the 22nd National Sports Festival, titled “Gateway Games Ogun 2024.”
In a statement following the new date announcement by Mrs. Thecla Opara, the Secretary of the MOC, Olopade emphasized that the postponement was a strategic move to create an economically sustainable sports ecosystem, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He noted that while the LOC and Ogun State Government were prepared for the January dates, the MOC heeded the advice of Technical Directors to push the festival to allow for better alignment and organization of the Sports Commission.
Bokula indicated that the MOC and Technical Committee plan to invite outstanding junior athletes from the recent National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, to compete in the festival.
“Our technical team and the MOC identified several elements that needed to align for us to meet the new vision of sports organization and economic sustainability set by the President. This delay will help us capture all necessary components and ensure the commission is properly established.” he said.
He expressed enthusiasm about the additional five months to prepare and showcase the country’s sports potential, highlighting that the change was a collective decision approved by Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of the Sports Commission.
During the meeting, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, the Commissioner for Sports Development in Ogun State, expressed satisfaction with the rescheduling, stating it would enable the state government to enhance the organization of the festival, making it a model for future events.
The communique issued at the end of the Technical Meeting, co-signed by Olopade and Isiaka, urged the Ogun State Government to use the inspection report on venues and facilities as a guideline.
Additionally, the communique called for all delegates to appoint a Chief Medical Officer to facilitate communication before and during the Games and announced that zonal eliminations for team sports will take place from February 23-28, 2025.
