The Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and the Ogun state government at the weekend signed a memorandum of understanding towards the hosting of the 22nd National Sports Festival in 2024.
Speaking during the signing ceremony held at the governor’s office Oke Mosan Abeokuta, the minister of sports and youth development, Mr Sunday Dare urged the state government to commence preparation as soon as possible, in order to better the performance at the last edition in Delta state.
The minister noted that Ogun won the bid for the hosting right due to its culture of sports development, availability of sporting infrastructure and potentials to host a befitting festival that would linger for a long time.
Dare disclosed that the federal government will support corporate bodies that are willing to partner with the state for the hosting of the festival with tax relief incentives.
In his remarks, Governor Dapo Abiodun assured that the state is ready to host the best ever Sports festival.
“Ogun State indigenes have invested in sports development in Nigeria. Apart from that we have eminent sports men and women who have distinguished themselves and brought glory to this country. We are ready to host a world-class festival next year. We have capable hands and sponsors that are ready to support us.
“I want to assure you that we will live up to expectations as reflected in the MoU. I can assure you that we will not disappoint you.
“I want to assure you that like you have said to me that the one in Edo was a very good showing, the one in Delta was better than the one in Edo, the one in Ogun will be the best. We will immediately move to set up a Local Organizing Committee,” the governor stated.
He explained that the National Sports Festival was developed to promote unity and cohesion among the youths, observing that Ogun as a state with a huge number of youths due to the large number of education institutions, his administration has developed strategies to gainfully engage them through sports and other relevant activities.
“Sports is a tool to teach our youth leadership skills development, discipline, team work and self confidence. When youth are busy through sports engagements, they won’t have time for social vices. Some of them have developed into world beaters and we will continue to encourage them”, Abiodun added
The governor recalled how the state performed very well in the last edition of the Festival by hauling 70 medals, appreciating the Minister and the Federal Ministry of Sports for supporting the state at the bidding stage.
He, however, assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure a successful sports festival next year.
It will be the second time that Ogun state will be hosting the NSF after the state played host to the multi sports event in 2006.
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