Federal Government Postpones National Sports Festival to January 2025
The Federal Government has announced the postponement of the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, originally slated as the ‘Gateway Games, Ogun 2024’, to January 2025. The decision comes after deliberations during the first National Council on Sports held in Enugu State.
The initial announcement of Ogun State as the host for the next National Sports Festival was made by Sunday Dare, the then Minister of Youth and Sports Development, during the closing ceremony of the 21st National Sports Festival in December 2022.
However, the recent communique released by the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, confirms the rescheduling of the games. Minister Enoh commended the Ogun State Government for its dedication to hosting the festival.
He urged both federal and state governments to actively participate in bidding for and hosting national and international sports competitions to accelerate sports development in Nigeria.
One of the key outcomes of the Council of Sports meeting was the endorsement of the establishment of the Sports Development and Investment Fund (NSIDF), recognizing its potential to promote sports development across the country.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, affirmed the state government’s readiness to host the National Sports Festival.
He highlighted the festival’s capacity to unite people, foster collaboration and teamwork, instill values of discipline and perseverance, and encourage youth participation in sports for socio-economic development.
Isiaka reiterated the state government’s commitment to leveraging sports development as part of its ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda, particularly focusing on grassroots initiatives.
