The newly appointed Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has announced that an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 athletes are anticipated to participate in the 2024 Gateway Games.
This event, marking the 22nd National Sports Festival, is set to occur in Ogun State in early January 2025.
Olopade made this announcement following a private meeting with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Emmanuel Emefienim, the Chief Executive Officer of Premium Trust Bank, in Abeokuta on Thursday.
As the former Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Festival, Olopade emphasized that the Committee is striving to establish an Olympic-standard Games Village that will house all athletes in a single location, a first in the festival’s history.
He stated, “The LOC has made significant efforts to ensure that we host the finest festival in the nation. My greatest satisfaction as the LOC chairman is the governor’s dedication to creating legacy projects associated with the games.
“Observing the MKO Abiola Stadium, the Ijeja Sports Centre, and the improvements at Babcock and Remo Stars Stadium, one can see the advancements we have made, including the new basketball courts for the games.
“My utmost joy is that when one enters the MKO Abiola Stadium, it will be evident that for the next 20 to 30 years, the children of Ogun State, Nigeria, and beyond will have the opportunity to showcase their God-given talents in these world-class facilities.”
To ensure the health and safety of the athletes, he revealed the implementation of a digitalized feeding and volunteer system, along with a catering system that will involve scientific testing of food.
Olopade also mentioned that around 200 accredited journalists covering the event will be provided with accommodation and meals to facilitate effective information dissemination.
Additionally, a transport cluster has been established to ensure the athletes are efficiently transported to their respective sporting venues in Babcock, Sagamu, and Iken.