NSC DG Olopade Rates Gateway Games 2024 As The Best National Sports Festival in 25 Years

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has described the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, as the best edition of the festival within the last 25 years.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that Olopade made the declaration after participating in a novelty football match between Southern and Northern sports writers.

The match ended 1-0 in favour of the Northern journalists, with Olopade featuring for both sides during the game.

Speaking with journalists after the novelty match, Olopade said, "When I’m doing something right, I say it boldly and with confidence; this is the best sports festival in the last 25 years,” Olopade said.

“I can’t speak about the ones held before I got involved, but since I started participating in 1999, none comes close to what Ogun State has delivered," he concluded.

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission who highlighted the achievements of the games, praised the governor of host state for the standard of facilities, hostel accommodations, feeding, transportation, level of competition, the quality of media coverage as well as the general cooperation and hospitality extended to participants by Ogun citizens. 

We’ve made a strong statement. The benchmark has been set, and the next host state, Enugu, will have a lot to live up to. We look forward to a memorable closing ceremony, it’s going to be a banger,” he added.

Looking ahead to the closing ceremony, he said, “It will be simple, classy, and fast-paced, but above all, entertaining. Whether you’re watching live at the stadium or from home, you’ll enjoy it.”

He also revealed that the closing ceremony coincides with the birthday of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, mirroring the 2006 edition, which opened on the birthday of then-Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel.