In a significant move towards revitalizing sports at the grassroots level, the Ogun State Government has promised continuous resuscitation of the Ogun State Sports Festival.
The Commissioner for Sports Development in the state, Hon.Wasiu Isiaka, disclosed this on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 2024 edition of Ogun State Sports Festival, held at the Sagamu International Stadium.
The Commissioner, in his welcome address, emphasized the government's dedication to elevating Ogun State position in Nigeria's sports landscape.
According to him, the initiative aligns with the promises made by the government and responds to calls from stakeholders, including the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ARHSPS) Ogun State and other stakeholders.
He said the ARHSPS had previously advocated for the revival of the sports festival in their publication, "Perspectives on Moving Ogun State Forward," presented to the State Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, in 2019.
The Commissioner announced that the resuscitated festival would serve as a platform to discover new talents across all local government areas, providing an opportunity for these talents to join the core of established athletes.
He noted that the initiative aims to prepare a pool of athletes for major national competitions, such as the National Sports Festival, moving away from the practice of recruiting athletes from other states.
He added that, in addition to the sports festival, the government plans to create a more comprehensive event co-hosted by the Ministry of Sports Development and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
He stressed that the event, tentatively named Gateway Unity Day, will be held annually on February 3, commemorating the creation of Ogun State in 1976.
The event will feature a sporting fiesta, cultural displays, and a celebration of the state's creation, fostering unity and teamwork among communities.
The Commissioner also noted that the Governor is diligently working on the modalities to ensure the festival brings together the state's greatest talents, inspires the next generation of athletes, and promotes Ogun State's rich cultural heritage.
"The festival is expected to leverage corporate sponsorships to make it a joint project.
"The new talents discovered will join the core of our athletes that have already been established.This process will accord our state the opportunity of having a pool of athletes that could be groomed and nurtured for major national competitions such as the National Sports Festival. The idea of recruiting ready-made athletes from other states should be jettisoned.
"The Ogun State Sports Festival, first held in 1977, saw its last edition in 1981. The upcoming editions would be more than just a competition; it is an opportunity to showcase Ogun State's talent, potential, and hospitality to the world.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the upcoming National Sports Festival will be more than just a competition to us. It is an opportunity for us to present Ogun State to the world. It is our moment to shine to show the nation what we are capable of achieving greatness as a state rich in talent, potentials and hospitality.
"Let us all come together and collaborate effectively to present a sports festival unlike we have never seen in the history of our great country. Together, we can highlight the spirit of Ogun State, celebrating not only our athletes but also the cultural essence that binds us together.
On our part as Government, we are determined to host and organize a befitting and very successful National Sports Festival.
"It is pertinent to inform you that aside from hosting, your darling State, Ogun State, will equally participate in the competition. On this as well, we shall present outstanding talented athletes and formidable teams that will not just represent Ogun State but will compete, perform creditably, and win laurels for the state.
"May I, therefore, call on our athletes; those that will be discovered here and the ones that are at various ongoing competitions to see this and the upcoming NSF as an avenue to display their God-given talent.
"The State Governor, as usual, has promised to reward outstanding performance. Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of the entire staff of the Ogun State Ministry of Sports Development, the Sports Council and the organising Committee of this State Sports Festival, to thank all those who have contributed in no small measure to the success of this event."
2024 Edition of Ogun State Sports festival featured different sporting activities, including football, athletics, scrabble, chess, Ayo Olopon, deaf and Para Athletics.
In the football event, Ijebu division defeated Remo 5-4 on penalty shootouts to be crowned champion, while Egba thrashed Yewa division 3-nil in the 3rd place final.
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