Ogun Tertiary Institutions Games Begins

All is set for the commencement of the fourth edition of the revived Gateway Tertiary Institution Games, GATIG, in Ogun State after 12 years.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde made this known while speaking with journalists at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The Gateway Tertiary Institution Games, GATIG, is an avenue for students from various tertiary institutions in Ogun State to renew their friendships and rivalry in different sporting activities.

It is also designed to encourage the direction of youthful exuberance towards sports rather than engaging in cultism, prostitution, drug abuse and other social vices.

The game which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at the Alake Sports Centre will see students competing for honours in seventeen games across three different venues in the state capital.

Addressing journalists, the Ogun State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde said the event would be used to discover raw talents among the students of tertiary institutions in Ogun State and assist them in honing their skills for national and global prominence. 

Dr. Kehinde restated the present administration’s determination to return the state to its glorious sports heritage.

The chairman, Main Organizing Committee, MOC, Prince Adetunji Onatolu said the rejuvenated GATIG would assist the state in its efforts towards the discovery of talents that would represent the state at the next National Sports Festival.

Also, the Director of Sports, Ogun State, Mrs. Iyabode Rotimi said the opening ceremony of the four-day event would be held at Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta with volleyball while the OOPL and the MKO stadium are other venues for the competition.

Speaking on behalf of the participating tertiary institutions, the Director of Sports, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Mr. Adeyemi Kehinde who was represented by the Principal Sports Coach of the institution, Mr. Dauda Saheed commended the efforts of the state government to revive the games, assuring the organizers of good conduct of the athletes through the period of the games.

Segun Folarin