The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has inaugurated the 16-man Local Organising Committee of the 22nd National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2024.
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Abiodun also noted that the state is more than prepared to surpass previous editions and the achievements recorded during the last festival that was held by the state in 2006.
Governor Dapo Abiodun who made this known during the inauguration of the Organising Committee of the National Sports Festival at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, noted that the state is ready to continue to put in place world-class sporting infrastructures across the length and breadth of the state.
Abiodun stressed that the festival isn’t about the competition or the performances, but to showcase the talent, culture, potential and unique sense of hospitality of the people of the state.
“We are determined to put in place a world-class sporting infrastructure across the length and breadth of the state. This underscores our determination to ensure that we host a very befitting National Sports Festival to the admiration of all stakeholders in the sector and around the world
“For us in Ogun State, this festival isn’t just about the competition and performances. Even though we would love to host and win every medal.
“We want to host a National Sports Festival that will showcase the talents, our culture, and potential of our great state as well as a very unique sense of hospitality of our people,” he said.
Governor Abiodun also stated that the National Sports Festival will bring together the energy, and creativity of youths in the country and also serves as a platform for the youths to showcase their diverse talents and potential.
He said the festival is a testament to the commitment of his administration to empower the next generation by offering them the opportunity for growth and self-development.
The governor while urging members of the committee to embrace the responsibility given to them with a deep sense of purpose, noted that their attention to detail, effective planning, and seamless execution would be the magic needed to host a remarkable edition of the festival.
Earlier in his response, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the State; Hon. Bukola Olopade commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for bidding and winning the right to host yet another historic National Sports Festival.
He acknowledged the governor for being the first in the country to ensure that all its athletes at the last edition of the National Sports Festival in Delta State went home with a cash reward irrespective of winning or losing, as long as they participated.
“Another landmark achievement by Mr. Governor is the ability to put together Nigeria’s Sports Aficionados as members of the 16-man Local Organising Committee for the Gateway Games 2024.
“This is very commendable. It’s remarkable to note that Governor Dapo Abiodun assembled literally the best brains and minds in sports today in Nigeria to run the sports festival in Nigeria,” he said.
