Curtain Closes On A Truly Remarkable 22nd National Sports Festival

.Organizers Promise Another Spectacle At Closing Ceremony On Thursday

After 11 days of showcasing sporting competition across multiple disciplines with some of the country’s top and promising athletes, the 22nd National Sports Festival will conclude with a closing ceremony on Thursday at the MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

This festival has been described as one of the best organised in history. While the quality of the opening ceremony is still being discussed, the sporting community, along with many others, eagerly anticipates how the closing ceremony will unfold.

The past 11 days have highlighted Ogun State as a true sporting hub, showcasing its potential with the quality of facilities built for the games and the enthusiasm of the fans who turned the various venues into their second homes.

A significant testament to this was the historic attendance at the men’s football final between Ogun State and Kwara State, in which Ogun State won 4-1.

The MKO Stadium was filled to capacity, and the crowd outside watching on the big screen exemplified how sports truly represent the soul of our unity as a country.

From the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja to Baptist Boys High School, Obafemi Awolowo Square, Remo Stadium in Ikenne, the NYSC Orientation Camp in Shagamu, and Ilisan Town Hall, the festival enjoyed consistent spectator support throughout the games.

The Games lived up to the pre-tournament hype, with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Ogun State Government going above and beyond to ensure that athletes, officials, and the media had an unforgettable experience.

The Gateway Games 2024 was full of exciting drama and intrigue among the states and athletes, leading to the setting of new records and the shattering of some old ones.

The festival also introduced several new and exciting young talents, particularly showcased by the impressive performance of the 38th team, the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), who surprised many by winning several medals, justifying the NSC's decision to establish the initiative.

As the closing ceremony approaches on Thursday, the leadership of the National Sports Commission expresses profound gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ogun State Government for creating a brighter future for millions of Nigerian youths through the National Sports Festival.

NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dilko stated, “Our overwhelming gratitude goes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his personal commitment to the development of Nigerian sports, providing us with financial and other forms of support for the success of this festival.”

He also praised Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, saying, "He deserves immense recognition for the achievements we have recorded with these games. I can't thank him enough, and posterity will surely remember him for good."

NSC Director General and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Hon. Bukola Olopade, extended his gratitude to all the professionals working behind the scenes who contributed to the festival's success.

 “From the members of the Main Organizing Committee to the various subcommittees, the local organizing committees, technical officials in the different sports, the media, and our athletes, the success we are celebrating today belongs to all of you.”

 “While it wasn’t a perfect festival and we acknowledge that we faced some challenges, I assure everyone that we are already working on these issues ahead of the next Games, which will be held in Enugu State next year,” he concluded.

The closing ceremony is expected to attract top government officials and industry leaders, featuring a rich cultural display, as Ogun State officially passes the baton of hosting to Enugu State for the 23rd edition of the Games set for September 2026.