By Olusegun Folarin
The Federal Government has approved January, 2025, as the official month for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged, “Gateway Games, Ogun 2024”.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh announced the date in a communique issued at the end of the first National Council on Sports, held in Abakaliki, Enugu State
Senator Enoh noted that the National Sports Festival played a vital role in national unity, while also increasing socio-economic growth for the sustainable development of the state and the country in general.
He called on the Federal and state governments to bid and host national and international sports competitions, to fast-track the development of sports in the country.
While urging all key stakeholders to play active roles towards the successful hosting of the Gateway Games, the Sports Minister informed that the Council of Sports was in support of the establishment of Sports Development and Investment Fund, NSIDF, for its attendant benefits in driving sports development in Nigeria.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after meeting, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Wasiu Isiaka, expressed the state government’s readiness to host the successful Festival.
Mr Isiaka noted that the NSF embodied capacity to bring people together, foster teamwork, cooperation, instil values of discipline and perseverance, encouraging youths to embrace sports for socio-economic development of the state, adding that targeted funding and incentives were crucial for driving grassroots sports engagements and ensuring the sustainability of sports programmes.
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