The 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games Ogun 2024,” originally scheduled for January 12, 2024, has been rescheduled to May 16-30, 2025.
This decision was announced in a communiqué released on Thursday after the Joint Technical Meetings held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The Secretary of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Thecla Opara, explained that the postponement was necessary to implement recommendations from the technical committee to deliver a world-class festival.
“The committee agreed to adjust the dates for the 22nd National Sports Festival to May 16-30, 2025, allowing time to address observations and recommendations. Additionally, the Zonal Eliminations for Team Sports will take place from February 23-28, 2025,” the communiqué stated.
The MOC Secretariat was directed to update and circulate the revised timeline to all stakeholders.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, emphasized the need for adequate preparation to achieve the festival’s vision of enhancing Nigeria’s sports economy and ecosystem.
“The Ogun State government and the Local Organising Committee initially opposed the postponement. However, the Technical and Main Organising Committees decided it was crucial to ensure all elements align to redefine sports development in Nigeria,” Olopade said.
He expressed optimism about the new timeline, highlighting the additional time to fine-tune preparations and showcase Ogun State’s capacity to deliver a top-tier event.
The Technical Committee Chairman also noted that many of the existing facilities required upgrades to meet international standards. “As professionals, we aim to provide facilities closer to Olympic standards. After assessing the infrastructure in place, we recommended enhancements to ensure athletes compete in an environment that promotes peak performance, not compromise,” he explained.
The festival aims to set a new benchmark for sporting events in Nigeria, promising a memorable experience for athletes and stakeholders alike.
