British-Nigerian boxing champion Anthony Joshua will light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, today at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.
Joshua will lead a six-man team in performing the ceremonial rites, joined by over 15,000 athletes, officials, and top government dignitaries.
The festival, which kicked off on Friday with the arrival of teams, marks Ogun State’s second time hosting the multi-sport event, following the Gateway Games in 2006.
Governor Dapo Abiodun personally invited Joshua to participate during the boxer’s visit to the state in December 2024, also naming him Ogun State’s sports ambassador.
“I want to request that you come back to light up the Gateway Sports Festival torch; you will be the one lighting it up,” Abiodun said during Joshua’s visit.