The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games, Ogun 2024,” has once again been postponed. The multi-sport event, which was initially scheduled to be held in November 2024 and later rescheduled to January 2025, will now take place from May 16 to 30, 2025, in Ogun State.
The latest postponement was confirmed in a communique released after a joint technical meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday evening. The statement, signed by the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Adebukola Olopade, did not provide specific reasons for the date change.
The communique read:
“Agreed that in order to give some time to effect the observations and recommendations from the Joint Technical Meeting, the dates for the 22nd National Sports Festival should be adjusted to May 16-30, 2025; and the Zonal Eliminations for Team Sports for the Games would hold from February 23-28, 2025.”
The festival was originally awarded to Ogun State after it won the hosting bid during the closing ceremony of the 21st National Sports Festival, held in Asaba, Delta State, on December 10, 2022.
Since then, the readiness of the state to host the event has been questioned due to multiple delays and rescheduling of venue inspections by the joint technical committee. Despite these concerns, the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, had earlier assured the public that all facilities would be ready ahead of the previously proposed January 2025 date.
Key venues for the festival include the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu, and the Alake Sports Centre.
The National Sports Festival is widely regarded as Nigeria’s premier domestic sporting event, bringing together athletes from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. It serves as a critical platform for identifying and nurturing young talent, as well as promoting unity through sports.
With the new date in place, organizers and stakeholders now face renewed pressure to ensure all logistical and infrastructural preparations are completed in time to host a successful tournament.
