Organisers promise another spectacle as 22nd National Sports Festival closes
After 11 days of intense competition across multiple sports featuring some of the country’s top and emerging athletes, the curtain will finally fall on what many have described as one of the best-organised editions of the National Sports Festival. The closing ceremony is scheduled to take place today (Thursday) at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
While the grandeur of the opening ceremony is still generating widespread admiration, the entire sporting community is now eagerly anticipating what promises to be a memorable closing ceremony.
Over the past 11 days, Ogun State has proven itself to be a genuine sporting hub, with top-notch facilities and enthusiastic crowds who turned various venues into their second homes throughout the festival.
A prime example of this was the massive turnout for the male football final between Ogun State and Kwara State, which the hosts won 4-1. The MKO Abiola Stadium was filled to capacity, while many more fans gathered outside to watch on big screens — a powerful reminder of how sports unify Nigerians.
From the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja and Baptist Boys High School to the Obafemi Awolowo Square and Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, and from the NYSC Orientation Camp in Sagamu to the Ilisan Town Hall in Ilisan, every venue enjoyed impressive spectator turnout throughout the competition.
The festival lived up to its pre-event billing, with both the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Ogun State Government demonstrating strong administrative commitment to ensuring that athletes, officials, and the media enjoyed an unforgettable experience.
The Gateway Games 2024 were filled with drama and excitement, with new records set and old ones broken. The festival also unveiled a new generation of athletic talent, particularly from the 38th contingent — the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) — who surprised many by winning medals and justifying the creation of the initiative.
As the closing ceremony takes place, the leadership of the NSC has expressed its gratitude to both the Federal Government and the Ogun State Government for enabling millions of Nigerian youths to see a renewed and hopeful future through sports.
NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said, “Our overwhelming gratitude goes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his personal commitment to the development of Nigerian sports by providing both financial and moral support for the success of this festival.”
“Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, also deserves enormous praise for the achievements recorded during these Games. I can’t thank him enough — posterity will surely remember him fondly.”
NSC Director General and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Honourable Bukola Olopade, also extended his appreciation to the technocrats and support teams behind the scenes.
“From the members of the Main Organising Committee to the sub-committees, local organising teams, technical officials, media, and athletes — the success of these Games belongs to all of you,” he said.
“Yes, it wasn’t a perfect festival — we had our challenges. But I assure everyone that steps are already being taken to address them ahead of the next Games in Enugu State next year,” he added.
Today’s closing ceremony is expected to draw top government officials, business leaders, and dignitaries. It will also feature rich cultural performances as Ogun State officially hands over hosting duties to Enugu State for the 23rd edition of the Games, scheduled for September 2026.
