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The 22nd National Sports Festival, also called Gateway Games 2024, will be remembered not only by medals and milestones but by its atmosphere, excellence and lasting legacy. More than a competition, it became a celebration of the unit, talent and what is possible when Vision meets execution.
Celebrated from May 16 to 31 throughout the state of Ogun, the festival was a vibrant mix of elite action, inclusion of base and cultural pride. Abeokuta became a heartbeat of national emotion, where athletes, fans and communities joined under a shared flag of excellence and joy.
In the center of this triumph was the unquestionable commitment of the Governor of the State of Ogun, Prince Dapo Abiodun. Its determination to leave a lasting legacy translated into the complete renewal of the historic Mko Abiola stadium and significant improvements to the sports infrastructure of the State. His leadership assured that every detail, from logistics to the experience of athletes, will be carefully addressed. This festival not only met expectations; He lifted the ribbon for which he can deliver a host state.
Much of the credit also goes to the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by President, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, president of the main organizing committee and general director of the NS), whose practical leadership and tireless dedication were fundamental for the success of the festival. The NSC executed an impeccable event, the result of detailed planning months, collaboration and commitment.
The National Sports Festival of 2024 left a lasting infrastructure legacy for the state of Ogun. The iconic Mko Abiola stadium received an integral face washing, restoring it to world -class standards, while the Alake Sports Center and several other places were updated to meet the demands of high -level competition. An outstanding innovation was the introduction of a centralized accommodation model, an unprecedented movement in the history of the festival. All athletes were housed at the Babcock University, whose avant -garde facilities, including independent energy and water systems, provided a life and competition environment without problems. Complemented by a fleet of no less than 80 buses and more than 20 waiting vehicles, transport was efficient and without stress, marking a new era of planning and execution for multisport events in Nigeria.
In a bold and historical initiative, the 2024 edition introduced more than 300 guest junior athletes (IJA), many children under 18, to compete along with older people. Backed by the NSC, the IJA initiative aimed to close the generational gap and expose the emerging talents to the elite competition. These young athletes not only participated, impressed, standing out in events such as football, athletics, swimming, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling. It was a powerful statement about the future of Nigerian sport and the value of early investment in youth development.
Praise was launched from the entire sports community. Dr. Abdul Ibrahim, president of the Nigerian weightlifting Federation, described the festival as a “generational victory for Nigerian sport.” He pointed out: “From the facilities to the pure energy of the athletes, this festival brought a new life to the weightlifting and many other sports. The inclusion of junior athletes is a brilliant blow that guarantees continuity and growth. The state of Ogun offered beyond expectations.”
Elder Paul Bassey, Sports Commissioner in the state of Akwa Ibom, echoed those feelings: “This was a sports festival in every way of the word: well structured, beautifully organized and emotionally moving. The level of professionalism that we witness, especially of the organizers and volunteers, was a world class.
One of the most emotional moments came when the icon blessing of the wrestling Oborodudu took its last reverence. At a poetic moment of a complete circle, he retired in the same city, Abeokuta, where he began his journey to stardom during the 2006 Gateway games. Almost two decades later, he leaves the sport as a medalist of Olympic silver, champion of the Commonwealth to multiple times and venerated ambassador of the Nigerian sports. His farewell stressed how these games were not only about early, but also about significant endings.
While the official accessories delivered impressive athletic feats, the true magic often happened after the final whistle. Every night, the halls around the stadiums come alive with activity: vendors, players and juerguistas turning the afternoons into a spontaneous carnival of food, laughs and shared stories. The game areas, the table tennis configurations and the billiards became meeting points, creating an organic and unofficial tradition that captured the very soul of the festival. Although it is not in the formal schedule, this night rate became one of the defining characteristics of the games, proof that the true power of sport lives in the connections it inspires.
Now, the Baton passes to ENUGU for the 23rd edition of the National Sports Festival. With the expectations that are raised, the legacy of Gateway games serves as a challenge and a road map. The state of Ogun has demonstrated what is possible when ambition, support and community join with the purpose.
The 22nd National Sports Festival was a master class on how to combine competition with culture, legacy with logistics and dreams with discipline. He reminded us all that sport is not just about winning, but that it is belonging, progression and storytelling. Thanks to the visionaries, athletes and every voice that cheering in Abeokuta, Nigerian sport is now higher, more proud and more inspired than ever.
This is for Ogun. Here are the games. And here is the golden future of Nigerian sports.
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