Gateway Games: NSC DG anticipates hitch-free sports fiesta

By Olaolu Joseph

Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, says he is looking forward to the successful staging of the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, given the level of preparation put in place for the games.

Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta, the DG stated, “The legacy of the games must come from the Sports Commission and not just the host state.”

Honourable Olopade said one of his first roles as DG was to announce Enugu State as the next host of the Sports Festival, noting that the early announcement was made to give the state ample time to prepare.

On other steps taken to ensure the successful staging of future sports festivals, Honourable Olopade said, “Another thing we’ve introduced is for states to submit their bids early for the 2028 and 2030 games,” mentioning Anambra State as one of the bidders.

“This means the next two hosts after Enugu will have four or five years to adequately build their infrastructure,” he said, adding that the NSC is ready to support states financially and structurally to meet the necessary requirements.

According to him, his experience as a former member of the Local Organising Committee has helped foster synergy and smooth coordination between the state and the main organising committee since he became NSC DG.

Speaking on the inclusion of Junior Athletes (IJA) in the games, Honourable Olopade said the initiative was designed to bridge grassroots athletes with the elite level, explaining that “90% of the kids representing IJA are already champions from the Youth Games.”

“All it takes is for one of them to win a bronze medal, and that automatically elevates them to the elite cadre, qualifying them for an elite grant that will prepare them for the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Championships next year,” he said.