By Andrew Abah
As the Games begin at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, after a colourful and spectacular Opening Ceremony, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olapade, has met with state delegates, assuring them of a groundbreaking event that will set new standards in the history of the games.
The entire sporting community in the country and beyond were thrilled with a spectacle embedded with a rich cultural display laced with World class performances from the likes of Davido and Asa as the Games begin with an Opening Ceremony of a World class standard.
In his address, Hon. Olopade highlighted core values such as love, focus, discipline, and unity as the essence of the National Sports Festival.
He emphasized that the festival will not only be a celebration of sports but also a testament to integrity.
“Let medals be won with honor, not by crook,” he admonished, stressing the importance of fair play and true sportsmanship.
The DG salutes the unwavering support and backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his personal interest in Nigerian Sports which has led to the current transformation going on in Nigerian Sports.
” We are where we are today revamping, reshaping and resetting our Sports ecosystem because of the vision of Mr President, the father of the country. He is the reason why the National Sports Festival is now wearing a new look of world class standard and we will continue to thank him”.
He also lauded the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for his unwavering dedication to the success of the festival.
“ Mallam Dikko has shown immense commitment and love for this project. That spirit must be cascaded down to every athlete and official,” he said.
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Hon. Olapade expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his tremendous support in mobilizing resources and empowering all stakeholders.He described the games as “ a festival of modern times,” ready to place Ogun on the national and international sports map.
Welcoming all participants to the state, Hon. Olapade concluded emotionally, “Welcome to my story — a game I bid for, a journey that has my name written all over it.”
With anticipation building , Ogun 2024 is shaping up to be a landmark edition of the National Sports Festival — one that celebrates not just athletic excellence, but unity, passion, and the enduring Nigerian spirit.
