The Federal Government has announced January 2025 as the official date for the 22nd National Sports Festival, dubbed “Gateway Games, Ogun 2024”.
This decision was made public in a communiqué issued after the first National Council on Sports meeting in Enugu State.
The Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, commended the Ogun State Government for its dedication to hosting a successful festival.
He emphasized the importance of the National Sports Festival in promoting national unity and driving socio-economic growth for sustainable development.
Sen. Enoh encouraged federal and state governments to bid for and host national and international sports competitions to accelerate sports development in the country.
He also urged key stakeholders to actively support the successful hosting of the Gateway Games.
The Council of Sports expressed support for the establishment of the Sports Development and Investment Fund (NSIDF) to drive sports development in Nigeria.
Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, assured the state’s readiness to host the festival, highlighting its potential to bring people together, foster teamwork, and promote socio-economic development.
He emphasized the need for targeted funding and incentives to drive grassroots sports engagement and ensure the sustainability of sports programs.
“Through the power of sports, we have the opportunity to come together, forge connections and celebrate our shared humanity. We are leveraging on the “Building Our Future Together” agenda of the Governor, to leverage on sports development at the grassroots”, he said.
