The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially inaugurated 19 sub-committees to spearhead preparations for the 22nd National Sports Festival, dubbed the Gateway Games Ogun 2025. The event is set to take place from May 16 to 30, 2025, promising to showcase Nigeria’s finest athletic talent.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, was led by NSC Director General, Honourable Bukola Olopade. He described the festival as Nigeria’s equivalent of the Olympics, serving as a critical platform for discovering and nurturing athletes who will represent the country on the global stage.
Olopade highlighted the formation of the Main Organising Committee, initially set up by former Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, to ensure a flawless festival.
He stressed that the goal is to deliver an event that garners both national and international acclaim, adding that “anything short of excellence is unacceptable.” Olopade urged committee members to be proactive and dedicated, declaring, “Failure is not an option.”
Mrs. Thecla Opara, Director of the National Sports Festival and Para-sports Department, echoed this optimism, emphasizing the sub-committees’ role as the backbone of the festival’s planning and execution. She expressed trust in their ability to deliver a seamless event.
Representing the sub-committees, Deputy Director Patrick Abobi thanked the NSC for the opportunity to serve. Acknowledging the high expectations, he affirmed their commitment to ensuring the festival’s success, stating, “This is a task we must accomplish.”
