Ogun Hosting Globally Recognized National Sports Event: Closing Medal Standings Revealed, with Tinubu's Praise
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praises Ogun State for hosting a 'world-class' National Sports Festival, which concluded on Thursday after a 12-day multi-sport competition. Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, commended the athletes and organizers for reaffirming Nigeria's unity through sports and showcasing sporting excellence.
The festival's closing ceremony took place at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta and was attended by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, and several high-ranking government officials. In his message, Tinubu highlighted the unity and collaborative federalism that underpins national strength and praised the athletes for contributing to the event's success.
The President officially declared the 22nd National Sports Festival closed, saluting the resilience and excellence of over 10,000 athletes who competed. Governor Abiodun expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government and the National Sports Commission for allowing Ogun State to host the prestigious event, known as the "Gateway Games 2024."
The competition saw the Delta State, for the fifth consecutive time and ninth time in the festival's history, emerge as the overall winners. The 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and invited junior athletes participated, competing across various sports disciplines in different venues across Ogun State.
As the curtain fell on the 2024 edition, it was announced that Enugu State will host the 23rd National Sports Festival in 2026.
The table below shows the final medal tally of the 2024 National Sports Festival:
Final Results of the 2024 National Sports Festival
Team Delta emerged as the overall champion for the fifth consecutive time, securing a total of 109 gold, 75 silver, and 87 bronze medals.
- Team Delta: 109 Gold, 75 Silver, 87 Bronze = 271 total medals.
- Team Bayelsa: 33 Gold, 23 Silver, 23 Bronze = 79 total medals.
- Team Rivers: 26 Gold, 21 Silver, 26 Bronze = 73 total medals.
- Host Team Ogun: 25 Gold, 16 Silver, 24 Bronze = 65 total medals.
- Team Oyo: 14 Gold, 17 Silver, 21 Bronze = 52 total medals.
Sources:
[1] National Sport Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nigeriasportscommission.gov.ng/missions-vision-values/
[2] SportsHunters. (2024). Ogun State hosts the 22nd National Sports Festival. Retrieved from https://sportshunters.com.ng/2024/05/25/ogun-state-hosts-the-22nd-national-sports-festival/
[4] Willis, R. (2024). Ogun Government Decries Athletes' Protest Over Unpaid Allowances. Retrieved from https://soccer360nigeria.com/2024/05/02/ogun-government-decries-athletes-protest-over-unpaid-allowances/
Tinubu, in acknowledgment of the sports-betting potential within Nigeria, expressed his appreciation for the sports-related improvements showcased at the National Sports Festival, held in Ogun State, further emphasizing the role of such events in fostering national unity. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, representing Tinubu at the festival, also commended the tournament's organizers for their contribution to Naija's (Nigeria's) sporting excellence. In the spirit of collaborative federalism that strengthens Nigeria, the 23rd National Sports Festival is scheduled to take place in Enugu State in 2026, anticipating another display of Naija's sports dominance, particularly from teams like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Ogun.
