The Nigerian Government has officially approved Ogun State to host 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games, Ogun 2024”, scheduled to hold January 2025.
Penpushing reports that this was made known in a communique released after the first National Council on Sports meeting, held at the Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, Enugu, Enugu State, with accolades to the Ogun State Government on commitment towards successful hosting of the festival.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh noted that the National Sports Festival plays a vital role in national unity, as it would also increase the socio-economic growth for the sustainable development of the state and the country in general.
Penpushing further reports that Enoh urged the federal and state governments to bid and host national and international sports competitions to fast track the growth of sports in the country,as he urged all key stakeholders to play active roles towards the successful hosting of the Gateway Games.
The Minister pointed out that the Council of Sports is in support of the establishment of Sports Development and Investment Fund (NSIDF) with its attendant benefits for driving sports development in Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon Wasiu Isiaka while fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting revealed that the state government is ready to host the National Sports Festival.
The Commissioner submitted that the National Sports Festival (NSF) has the ability to bring people together, to foster teamwork and cooperation and instil values of discipline and perseverance in humans, as well as encourage the vast youthful population in the state to embrace the power of sports in community development.
Penpushing reports that Isiaka emphasized that targeted funding and incentives are crucial for driving grassroots sports engagements and ensuring the sustainability of sports programmes in the state.
“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 to develop sports at the grassroots,” he said.
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