The Ogun state government has inaugurated a 29-man committee of Team Ogun, ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged, “Gateway Games 2024”.

Speaking during the inauguration on Friday, the state’s commissioner for sports development, Wasiu Isiaka, noted that the festival is one of the most important events in the national sporting calendar.

The festival, scheduled to hold from Jan. 12 to Jan. 26, 2025, is to foster unity among youths in Nigeria, regardless of ethnic, religion and political affiliations.

Mr Isiaka disclosed that the hosting rights granted the state was possible through efforts of Gov. Dapo Abiodun to lay a solid foundation for sports development.

He expressed optimism that the festival would leave a legacy of capacity building, skills transfer, economic growth, sporting facilities and infrastructural development in the annals of the state.

“The festival will serve as an affiliation of the limitless potential by revealing shared values of excellence, thoroughness, industriousness and hospitality of the state,” Mr Isiaka said.

He assured that the state government would provide necessary infrastructure, facilities and accommodation for a befitting festival.

He also hinted that the government would collaborate with relevant stakeholders, employ modern technologies, provide top-notch security and medical services for safety and wellbeing of all athletes, coaches and officials.

Mr Isiaka stated that the committee was responsible for overseeing a seamless, hitch-free festival for the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

He said that it would also steer the affairs of the event, urging members to bring their wealth of experience and expertise to bear in order to achieve a world-class festival.

“The committee will work with me as commissioner, to prepare and present a formidable team that is capable of representing the Gateway state in the various sporting events,” he said.

Some members of the committee are great sportsmen and women, sports administrators of high repute, media practitioners and technocrats.

Among them are Falilat Ogunkoya, Tunji Onatolu, Ganiu Majekodunmi, Adesola Faleti and Biodun Alabi.

Responding on behalf of other committee members, Mr Onatolu expressed appreciation to the state government for giving them the opportunity to serve, promising to work assiduously to ensure a successful festival. 

(NAN)