Director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has given high praise to the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival, dubbed the ‘Gateway Games 2024’, stating that Ogun State has established a new benchmark for future events.
Olopade, who also serves as the chairman of the main organising committee, made the remark during the closing ceremony of the biennial sporting event at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Thursday. He urged Enugu State, the next host of the festival, to further elevate the standards of the games.
“Ogun State has done an exceptional job as a host, and this is due to the visionary and intentional leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun. This is the standard that Enugu State must strive to surpass, and I have no doubt that Governor Peter Mbah will deliver another world-class Games in 2026,” Olopade said.
Ogun State took the hosting of the National Sports Festival to a new level, culminating in a breathtaking closing ceremony on Thursday.
After nearly two weeks of non-stop competition, the closing ceremony showcased all the elements of a true global sporting spectacle.
From the quality of attendance to the inspiring calisthenics display, musical performances, and the various motivating speeches from top government officials, Thursday’s closing ceremony has undoubtedly raised the bar for future games.
Delta State emerged as the winners of the games, successfully defending the title they claimed two years ago in Asaba, with a total of 337 medals, including 126 gold, 100 silver, and 111 bronze.
Ogun State finished in second place, securing 93 gold, 65 silver, and 80 bronze medals, while Bayelsa State took third place with 92 gold, 65 silver, and 71 bronze medals.
Completing the top five were Rivers and Edo States. Rivers finished fourth with 76 gold, 58 silver, and 65 bronze medals, while Edo placed fifth with 73 gold, 101 silver, and 119 bronze medals.
Lagos finished sixth with 38 gold, 43 silver, and 88 bronze medals, while Oyo came in seventh with 38 gold, 37 silver, and 51 bronze medals. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ended in eighth place with 14 gold, 8 silver, and 17 bronze medals, while Osun ranked ninth with 13 gold, 3 silver, and 11 bronze medals. Akwa Ibom rounded out the top ten with 12 gold, 11 silver, and 20 bronze medals.
The highly commended Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) finished the festival in an impressive 18th position, winning 2 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze medals, inspiring the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
A total of 2,139 medals were awarded at the games, comprising 633 gold, 624 silver, and 882 bronze medals.
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