15,000 athletes hit Ogun for the sports festival as a rock host state protest

… Torcia of unit delivered to Gov inhabitaun

… the reporters of the meals shout for the loss of job immeasuring N2.7 billion

With over 15,000 athletes, officials and sports enthusiasts who converge in the state of Ogun for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2025, Excitement and Anxiety Trail The long -awaited sports Fiesta, which officially begins on Friday 16 May.

The two -week event, which will take place until May 30, will present 549 competitive events with 2,150 medals at stake through various sports.

However, the air of the celebration was blurred by infrastructure delays and by a dispute on the production of beer involving over 80 restaurateurs who support the contractual abandonment by the local organizing committee (Loc).

The Governor of the State of Ogun, Dapo Inhabitun, on Thursday received the torch of units at the gate of the city along the Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu highway.

The symbolic delivery was led by Dercas AdeSokan, a renowned gold medal at the 2014 African African games, who presented the torch while making his journey at national level in view of the Festival.

Governor inhabedun described the torch as an emblematic of the “collective dreams of unity and empowerment” of the country “, noting that the festival is more than a sporting race: it is a celebration of the cultural diversity and the national spirit of Nigeria.

“The torch of unit encapsulates the essence of our mission,” he said.

“It symbolizes peace, sportiness and the lasting spirit of every Nigerian. We are proud to host this prestigious event and reaffirm our commitment for friendship, collaboration and national cohesion.”

The governor also expressed confidence in the preparation of Ogun, even if the concerns lingers on incomplete works at the stadium of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (Mko) in Kuto, one of the main places of the event.

Mascot, logo and musical theme revealed

In a colorful pre-Festival ceremony held at the cultural center of 12 June in Abeokuta, the official mascot of the Games Games-Ogun-Ogun-it was presented to an exciting passion. The animated figure, who represents the energy and culture of the host state, greeted the crowd and warmly committed himself to the dignitaries.

The festival logo were also launched, with the signature of the State Lemon Green and Yellow Hues and a lively theme song entitled E’kabo (Yoruba for “Welcome”).

Composed of Dr. Bayo Adepert, the song gives the tone to the hospitality and the cultural exhibition of Ogun.

Protests and fear of logistical chaos

Despite the great celebrations and symbolic deliveries, not all is good at the center of the festival preparations.

Barely 24 hours in the kick -off, the members of the National Caters Association of Nigeria organized a protest at the Mko Abiola stadium, supporting the exclusion from catering contracts after initial agreements with the loc.

The president of the association, Francisca Ojo, said that over 80 of their members, including widows and low-income gains, traveled from all over the country-through food equipment and cuisine-to only be put aside in favor of Babcock University, which according to what was reported, the contract was assigned without notice.

The times of the platform, however, were unable to confirm the statement that the state government paid a sum of N500m to Babcock to prepare the meal of about N2.7 billion meals for all the athletes during the Festival.

“Last year we presented our profiles and followed the right trial. Even last week, the Loc contacted us for the details, which we took as confirmation.

But now we were stuck without funds or explanations, “he complained of Ojo.

He insisted on the fact that they still held their original application documents, decreeing the lack of transparency and last minute changes.

The restaurateurs, whose contract would be valid in total N2.7 billion, appealed to the governor inhabitants for an urgent intervention, warning that further delays could mark the athlete and damage the reputation of the state.

Promptness in question

In the meantime, with the athletes of 36 states and the FCT coming, the logistical and infrastructure concerns remain.

Important renovation works at the Mko stadium and other places such as the Alake sports center were still incomplete starting from Thursday, raising fears on Ogun’s readiness to host the games.

Despite these challenges, the festival is destined to start in the midst of a powerful mix of anticipation and agitation: a microcosm of the complex interaction of pride, passion and protest of Nigeria.

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