NSC D-G, Olopade, hails Gateway Games as best sports festival ever

Posted : 28 May 2025

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honorable Bukola Olopade, has hailed the Ogun 2024 National Sports Festival, tagged 'Gateway Games', as the best in the last 25 years.

Olopade stated this at the main bowl of the MKO Abiola Stadium after participating in the novelty match between Southern sports writers and their Northern counterparts.

The novelty match ended 1-0 in favor of the Northern journalists, with the former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun State featuring for both teams.

"When I'm doing something right, I say it with all boldness and confidence: this is the best Sports Festival in the last 25 years. I can't speak for the ones I wasn’t part of since its inception in 1973, but over the past 25 years, I have been part of every festival," Mr. Olopade said.

"From the quality of facilities, hostel accommodations, feeding, transport system, competition level, and media coverage, we have made a statement and set a standard. The next host state (Enugu) in 2026 has a lot to think about. We look forward to the closing ceremony — it will be a banger."

He lauded the efforts of SWAN in covering the event:

"From the moment we were given the hosting rights, I made it clear that this is a media event. In doing so, we ensured the media received the credit they deserve. There are no regrets in providing them with the necessary support and creating an enabling environment for them to thrive. Without the media, no one would know what we’re doing," Mr. Olopade said.

On the plans for the closing ceremony, he said:

"It's going to be a very simple ceremony — classy, nice, and quick. Above all, those watching live at the stadium and those at home will be thoroughly entertained.

Don't forget, the day of the closing ceremony also coincides with the birthday of the Governor, His Excellency Dapo Abiodun, just like the opening ceremony in 2006, which coincided with the birthday of the then-Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

When God has His hand in something good, everything works out for the best," he concluded.

On the idea of "hosting to win":

"I never heard Ogun State talk about hosting to win. We only wanted to compete — and we've done just that. Remember, we came third when we hosted in 2006, and in the following festival in Kaduna, we finished as high as second place, which was a massive achievement for us."

He praised the Ogun State Governor for his exemplary leadership in empowering the state to succeed at the games:

"Governor Dapo Abiodun has supported Team Ogun through Wasiu Isiaka (Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development). The athletes have been in camp for many months, and this success story is no accident. We’ve always finished around 6th or 7th place, but this year, we are determined to finish as high as third.

"I had earlier predicted that Delta and Bayelsa would come first and second, while Ogun would finish third — and that’s exactly what’s happening."

NSC D-G, Olopade, hails Gateway Games as best sports festival ever

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