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Enugu to host 23rd National Sports Festival

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The National Sports Commission (NSC), after its top management meeting, has announced Enugu State as the host of the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival. The Coal City State emerged top from a competitive bidding process and the state is set to deliver a world-class event. The National Sports Festival, a biennial multi-sports event, brings together thousands of athletes from Nigeria’s 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory to celebrate sportsmanship, national unity and sporting excellence. Before Enugu State takes center stage, the 22nd edition of the festival is set to hold in January 2025 in Ogun State, with the Gateway State buzzing with pomp and pageantry, as the Games draw closer. Honourable Bukola Olopade, the former chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and current NSC Director General, revealed that the Gateway Games will host over 15,000 athletes. He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to supporting Ogun State in delivering a premium tournament. With Enugu’s selection for the 23rd edition, the festival promises to uphold its legacy of excellence, inclusivity, and showcasing the best of Nigerian sports talent, while unearthing talents good enough to fly the flag of the nation internationally. This marks the first time the South-Eastern State will be staging the event since its inception in 1973. The 21st edition of the Games was hosted by Asaba, Delta State, with over 11,000 athletes participating in the grand tournament. With Ogun State billed to host the next edition of the games in January next year, it also marks the first time the host of the subsequent Games is known before the end of the current Festival. This development will give Enugu State enough time to prepare adequately for the games and will also enhances the Corporate image of the Festival.

NSF: Ogun begins reconstruction works on MKO Abiola Stadium

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

The Ogun State Government has commenced reconstruction and renovation works on the MKO Abiola International Stadium and the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, ahead of the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “2024 Gateway Games.” Speaking after inspecting the two facilities, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, assured that the renovation works would be completed within the stipulated time and would be tested before the games. The scraping of the pitch at the main bowl of the stadium, the removal of the tartan tracks, as well as the roofs at the indoor hall of the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, are ongoing simultaneously as the commissioner led journalists to the sites. He revealed that the VIP section of the stadium would be expanded, while an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and handball courts would also be constructed within the stadium. The commissioner noted that the current administration is intensifying its efforts to develop sports and youth development programs in the state, as well as to discover and nurture young athletes. He highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of the youth and channeling their energy into productive ventures for their personal success and the socio-economic gains of the state, reiterating the government’s commitment to organizing a world-class National Sports Festival. Hon. Isiaka submitted that the festival will bring together the best athletes from the state, inspiring the next generation of athletes, promoting the rich cultural heritage, and promising to reward outstanding performances. He stated that the massive renovation will not only help develop the skills and dedication of local athletes before, during, and after the games but will also underscore the commitment and readiness of the state government to host the National Sports Festival, calling on corporate organizations and other well-meaning individuals to join hands with the government to make the NSF a huge success. The Commissioner added that the Sports Festival is a moment for the state to shine and show the world the abundance of talents, potentials and inherent hospitality in the state. He, therefore, reaffirmed the readiness of the state government to host a befitting festival, adding that the facilities would be top-notch and would attract national and international events. The National Sports Festival has been slated to hold between January 12 and January 26, 2025.