Tinubu flags off 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun

Abdullateef Fowewe

In a celebration of culture, unity, and athletic excellence, Ogun State officially launched the 22nd National Sports Festival at the newly renovated MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Sunday.

The opening ceremony, tagged “Gateway Games 2024,” drew a crowd of over 10,000 spectators and delivered a colorful showcase that highlighted Nigeria’s cultural richness and sporting spirit.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, formally declared the festival open, signaling the start of what promises to be one of the most inclusive and far-reaching editions in the festival’s 52-year history.

The ceremony featured a grand parade of participating states, including host Team Ogun, defending champions Team Delta, as well as contingents from Lagos, Bayelsa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Each team thrilled the crowd with vibrant displays during the march-past inside the stadium’s main arena.

Blending traditional pageantry with contemporary choreography, the event celebrated both Nigeria’s cultural heritage and its aspirations for national development through sports.

In a post on Vice President Kashim Shettima’s X (formally Twitter) handle, he disclosed that President Bola Tinubu announced the revival of the previously inactive National Sports Commission (NSC), stating that the decision aims to free the administration of sports in Nigeria from bureaucratic delays and interference by vested interests.

According to the President, the move is part of broader efforts to reposition the sports sector for efficiency, professionalism, and better performance on the global stage.