By Olusegun Folarin

Ogun State representative in the football event at the ongoing National Sports Festival has qualified for the final of the male category of the football event.

The Ogun State team defeated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria by two goals to one in one of the semi finals matches played at the Remo Stadium, Ikenne.

In the other semi final game, Kwara State beat Kaduna State by a lone goal to set up the final match with Ogun State male football team.

Kaduna State will therefore battle the Golden Eaglets for the Bronze Medal.

The final match involving the male and female football teams will take place at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena on Tuesday, 27th May, 2025.

By Olusegun Folarin

The President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Mr Daniel Ighali, has urged referees to be at their best and ensure error-free performance as the wrestling competition begins on Monday at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

Mr Ighali made the call during the Nigeria Wrestling Federation’s coaches and referees refresher course held in Ikenne, Ogun State.

The course was attended by coaches and referees from various states, with the women’s national team coach, Purity Akuh, serving as one of the instructors.

New rules governing the sport were discussed during the session.

He announced that the Federation would provide three additional jury members, aside from the Virtual Assistant Referees, to assist officials during the tournament.

Mr Ighali emphasized the importance of self development and continuous improvement to enable the Nigerian referees to officiate matches at international competitions.

With wrestling events at the Festival set to begin on Monday, he stressed the need to take proactive steps to elevate the standard of coaching and officiating across the country and meet international expectations.

By Segun Folarin

The Ogun State Darts Team has put up a stunning show winning seven gold, one silver, and three bronze medals at the completion of the competition in the ongoing 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games 2024.

The team, led by Ololade Adeyemi, showcased exceptional skills and talent, leaving other competitors in their wake.

At the competition held at the Abeokuta Sports Club, Oke- ilewo,Abeokuta, Adeyemi was the standout performer, clinching five individual gold medals in the TDB Ladies Single, 501 Ladies Single, 701 Ladies Single, 201 Ladies Single, and 300 Ladies Single categories.

She also won bronze medal in the 301 Ladies Singles and a silver medal in the 701 Ladies Doubles, partnering with Toluwanimi Odedola.

In the same vein, the Ogun State men’s Darts team also made a strong impression, with David Osudare winning gold in the 201 Men’s Single and Adegbola Jide securing gold in the 300 Men’s Single.

The duo of Williams Oluseyi and Lawal Kayode added a bronze medal in the 701 Men’s Doubles, while Damilola Akinsola won a bronze in the 201 Ladies Singles.

The darts competition officially came to a close on Saturday with the presentation of medals to the winners.

By Olusegun Folarin 

The Cycling Federation of Nigeria, CFN has suspended Edo State Coach, Jackson Iyobosa Edobor, from further participation at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games for unruly behaviour. 

The CFN Secretary General, Mr. Joel Akinluwa said in a statement that Coach Edobor was suspended from attending any cycling competitions or visiting the cycling venue with immediate effect.

He alleged that Coach Edobor threatened to kill the Commissaire, Mr. Osaretin Emuze, for allegedly influencing the outcome of the Male Team Pursuits.

Mr Akinluwa said his unruly behaviour not only brought shame to the coach and his team but also compromised the integrity of the event.

He noted that the suspension would be lifted if the coach could write an apology letter to the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, acknowledging his wrongdoing and promising not to engage in such behaviour in the future.

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By Omolara Adasofunjo

Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Youth and Sports has acknowledged the State Government’s level of preparedness for the upcoming National Sports Festival through the procurement and upgrade of facilities in MKO Abiola and Ijeja Stadia.

The House Committee members led by the Chairman, Mr Lukmon Atobatele, gave the commendation, while being conducted round facilities at the stadia by the management of the Sports Development Ministry, led by the State Commissioner, Mr. Wasiu Isiaka. 

The lawmakers made an on-the-spot assessment to the facilities to examine the level of preparation towards the forthcoming National Sports Festival scheduled for May, 2025.

Other members, including Mr Folawewo Salami, Mr Wasiu Ayodele, Mr Oyedele Adebisi and Mr Adegoke Adeyanju said the measures put in place by the state government was a reflection of its commitment to maximizing the gains of the festival, particularly in compliance with international standards in sporting infrastructure.

The lawmakers charged contractors to ensure timely completion of all ongoing projects at the stadia without compromising standard and safety for the athletes.

In a remark, the Commissioner for Sports said the state would leverage on the festival to further improve the sporting ecosystem of the state, adding that efforts were in top gear towards ensuring the speedy completion of the projects across the facilities scheduled to be used during the festival.

The lawmakers inspected the Tartan Track of eight lanes, football pitch, swimming pool, handball and tennis courts at the MKO Abiola Stadium as well as the squash and handball courts, indoor hall and weight and Power lifting Arena at Ijeja Stadium.

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By Olusegun Folarin 

The National Sports Festival tagged “Gateway Games” earlier slated for between 12th and 26th January, 2025 has been rescheduled for 16th to 30th May of the same year.

The rescheduling of the festival was  contained in a communique jointly signed by the Director General National Sports Commission, Chief Bukola Olopade and the Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Wasiu Isiaka.

Presenting the Communique to Journalists after the 1st Joint Technical meeting of the festival held in Abeokuta, the Secretary, Main Organising Committee, M.O.C, Mrs Thecla Opara said the shift in date for the festival was to allow the state government to effect the necessary recommendations noticed during the inspection of facilities at the proposed venues for the games.

Mrs Opara noted that the meeting also stressed the need for more synergy between members of the MOC Sub-committees/Liaison Officers and relevant Local Organising Committee, LOC Sub-Committees.

She announced that the meeting agreed that athletes discovered from the National Youth Games in some selected sports would be invited to participate in the National Sports Festival as Invited Junior Athletes which is part of the grand plan to nurture them to excel in their sport and develop as well-rounded individuals.

Speaking with Journalists, the Director-General, National Sports Commission, NSC, Chief Olopade explained that the shift in date of the National Sports was to allow the newly created National Sports Commission to settle down and create a sustainable sports economy.

He maintained said the rescheduling was strategically done to create an ecosystem of economic sustainability as mandated by President Bola Tinubu.

In a remark, the Commissioner for Sports Development in Ogun State, Mr Isiaka expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Technical Committee.

Mr Isiaka maintained that the shift in date would allow the state government to further expand the ecosystem of organizing the best National Sports Festival that would be a reference point in the near future.

The 1st Joint Technical Meeting for the National Sports Festival has the 37 Directors of Sports, 37 Technical Directors, all Secretaries of Sports federations, and Main Organizing Committee and Local Organizing Committee in attendance.

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.

Olusegun Folarin

As the date for the National Sports Festival close in, the Ogun State Boxing Association has continued to intensify preparations towards the biennial event with the November edition of Boxing Hall of fame.

The competition held at the indoor hall of the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja Abeokuta attracted pugilists from various clubs in the state.

In the 67kg weight contest of the competition, Pascal Michael punched out his opponent, Ridwon Odekunle to emerge champion in the November edition of the tournament

The 19 year-old Pascal, proving  too hot for Odekunle  to handle,  as the referee quickly stopped the fight  to prevent further punishment after the opponent suffered  from a deep cut in the face.

The highly elated winner  speaking to sportswriters shortly after the bout, vowed to continue to train harder to actualize his dream of becoming National Champion representing Team-Ogun in the forthcoming 22nd National Sports Festival slated to hold in the state come, 2024 

The Cobler who has been in boxing for the past five years, also expressed his desire to become a world champion in the nearest future, just like his boxing idol , Manny Pacquiao of  Philippine. 

In other bouts decided in the monthly boxing show, Ayomide Ogundare won by unanimous decisions of judges, after  overwhelming Abdulsaliau Samod in the 63.5 kg contest, just as Rasak Tairu  defeated Jamal Adeniyi  with a unanimous decisions in the 60 kg fight. 

Also in the 57 kg contest, Ayobami Kasali outclassed, Ifeoluwa Yusuf with a unanimous decisions just as Faruq Oshikoya defeated David Kushimo with unanimous decisions in the 51kg fight, while Segun Ojo won by split decisions against Noah Satimo in the 47kg contest.

In the two female bout decided, highly experienced Damilola Shodipe outclassed Damilola Shobayo with a unanimous decisions in the 60kg fight just as Sukura Taiwo beat Abidemi Ife with a unanimous decisions in the 46 kg contest.

Ogun State has been confirmed as the next hosts of the biennial National Sports Festival in 2024.

This was made known during the closing ceremony of the 21st edition of the festival, which ended in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Saturday.

Sports minister Sunday Dare, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, at the closing ceremony, said Ogun emerged tops after the rigorous selection process.

“I have the pleasure tonight (Saturday) to announce the next hosts of the 2024 edition of the National Sports Festival; the next hosts for the 22nd National Sports Festival is Ogun State,” Dare announced.

“For the first time, we have a runners-up – the runners-up for the bidding is Oyo State.”

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Ogun State Government has announced its readiness to host the 2024 National Sports Festival.

The State had submitted her bid to host the Games months ahead of other States who have shown interest. 

Speaking with newsmen in Asaba, Delta State, the commissioner for youth and sports, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde said the State can boast of standard facilities that can host the nation come 2024 if given the hosting rights. 

According to him, the hosting is in line with four cardinal points of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who is more determined to make Sport veritable in the state.

Speaking further, Mr Kehinde said they have submitted the bidding documents and  the officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports officials have visited the venues earmarked for the games.

He added that adequate security would be put in place to protect participants attending the games.

Lara Ayoade

Oyo State will field two hundred and ninety six (296) athletes in thirty two games at the forthcoming 21st edition of the National Sports Festival tagged “ASABA 2022” which is scheduled to hold from November 28 to December 10, 2022 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

Chairman, Oyo State Sports Council,  Honourable Gbenga Adewusi made this disclosure on Tuesday, at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

Director, Media and Communication of the Sports Council, Tunde Ajibike in a statement said the chairman stated further that fifty technical officials from Oyo State were registered to officiate at the National Sports Festival adding that the state was not leaving any stone unturned to ensure adequate preparation with a view to emerge victorious and perform excellently well in the forthcoming tournament.

He confirmed that some sports are already in open camp to fortify their skills and proficiencies.

Honourable Adewusi remarked that the National Sports Festival is the Nigerian version of Olympics games to showcase and nurture the potentials of the nation’s upcoming athletes for development of sports in Nigeria, stressing that it also serve as breeding ground for production of outstanding talent.

The Chairman said further that he is optimistic of the victory of the Oyo team considering the fact that they recorded enviable and exceptional track record in the past.

“They came fifth in the 2020 edition of National Sports Festival held in Benin city and also emerged second over all position in the first National Para Games tagged “Abuja 2022”.

“We are all basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of our three weightlifters that won gold, silver and bronze respectively at the Commonwealth games held in Birmingham recently”.

Honourable Adewusi posited that most of the known talents and outstanding stars that made Nigeria proud were discovered during previous National Sports Festival and commended the Federal Government for sustaining the bi-annual National Sports tournament.

Addressing the athletes during their training sessions, Honourable Adewusi handed the athletes a tall order to surpass the standard set in the previous editions.

 “I will like to enjoin all the athletes to redouble your efforts to win more laurels for Oyo State, the state is looking forward to win more gold medals that will facilitate representation of Nigeria in International tournament in the foreseeable future”.

He also commended Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for creating an enabling environment for new and progressive ideas to thrive in the sports sector, stressing that the remodelling and rehabilitation of Lekan Salami Sports Complex and other five sports facilities across the geo political zones of the state have affirmed to the prioritisation of sports and sporting activities in Oyo State.

Olaolu Fawole