Abiodun unveils games’ logo, theme song, mascot
Rugby and Shooting events will not feature at the 22nd National Sports Festival holding in Ogun State in the second week of May 2025, the National Council on Sports has decided.
The council has also ruled that subsequent festivals will be held between November and May.
Rising from an extraordinary meeting, yesterday, in Abeokuta, the Council, which comprises directors of sports of all 36 states of the federation and the FCT, decided to drop rugby from events listed for the NSF in Ogun State because it was not competed for during the zonal elimination concluded last month across the country.
An official told The Guardian from the venue of the meeting that shooting was also dropped because the host, Ogun State, said it does not have the facility to stage the event.
The Guardian recalls that shooting was dropped in the dying minutes from the sports in the build-up to the National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State, a few years ago, with the organisers claiming then that “they don’t want to start training the children how to shoot.”
Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, unveiled the logo, theme song and mascot for the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games.”
Represented by his deputy, Noimot Oyedele, at the event held at the cinema hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the governor called for understanding, cooperation of all Nigerians to make the event a success.
According to him, the theme song, which is rich in rhythm and spirit, was composed by the talented Bayo Adepetun, while the mascot was brought to life by a brilliant team from the state’s Ministry of Culture, which reflects the energy, cultural heritage, and aspirations of the people of the state.
The governor, while giving assurances of the state readiness to host the festival, said the occasion remains a milestone in the journey towards delivering the most memorable, most inclusive, and most inspiring National Sports Festival Nigeria has ever seen.
“As many of you will recall, Ogun State last hosted the National Sports Festival in 2006. Nearly two decades later, we are more than ready to welcome the country once again. But this time, we are raising the bar — significantly,” he said.
He promised that this year’s edition will feature several new initiatives, which are set to redefine the festival experience and make Ogun 2024 truly unmissable.
“Beyond the symbolism of today’s event, our focus is squarely on execution. Our Local Organising Committee, under the able leadership of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, and with the guidance and experience of Chief Bukola Olopade, now the Director General of the National Sports Commission, has been working tirelessly.
“We salute their commitment and that of every member of the Local Organising Committee, our sports associations, and the countless hands working behind the scenes to ensure that all facilities are ready, and every detail is in place.”
