The Executive Secretary, Local Organizing Committee, LOC, of the 2024 National Sports Festival, NSF, billed to hold in Ogun State, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, has expressed satisfaction with the level of facilities provided by the state government ahead of the festival.
Dr. Tandoh said that the available sporting facilities across the three senatorial districts of Ogun State has really shown the level of preparedness of the state to host a befitting festival.
Tandoh disclosed this on Wednesday during a facility inspection tour to Ikenne in Ogun East senatorial district.
The inspection tour, led by the LOC Chairman, Hon. Bukola Olopade, took the team to Remo Stars FC sports facilities at Ikenne, NYSC Orientation camp at Sagamu, MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, the Golf Resort in Abeokuta, and Alake Sports Centre in Abeokuta.
The Executive Secretary maintained that, most of the facilities for the festival are already in place, saying that in less than 16 months to the festival, other facilities would be ready.
He said, “Yes, what we have come here to do is an exploratory visit, not really an inspection of facilities. It is just to explore what is on ground for us. I’ve been quite impressed because from what we’re seeing so far, the state government has already made the job of the LOC very easy.
“We saw the facilities at the MKO Abiola Stadium. Yes, we have to put in a lot of work there. We went to Ikenne as well to see the Remo Stars complex, and honestly, that place is ready for the festival. We looked at it and we see that at least five spots can be accommodated at the Remo Stars sports complex.
“Now we’ve come to the NYSC orientation camp, where we have accommodation for about 4,000 people. And not only that, we have found that we have a hall where we can have another two to three sporting events that will take place here. So, it is already an atmosphere of one community that has already been created. You have 4,000 people staying here.
“You have some of them competing here. And then you have the rest competing just 10 minutes’ drive away. I mean athletes cannot have it any better. There’s very little work that needs to be done. So far we were quite impressed. As for me, as the Executive Secretary, there are three areas that are key. And those three areas are accommodation, feeding and then the provision of sports facilities for the event. And in all those three areas, I can see that Ogun State is almost ready.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Venues and Facilities Committee, Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, commended the state government for creating a friendly environment for private business to thrive.
Igbinosa noted that, the sports complex at Remo Stars in Ikenne is world-class that can host any international competition.
In his reaction, the LOC chairman, Hon. Olopade reiterated the readiness of the state governor, he made it known that the governor will personally inspect the facilities as soon as refurbishment commences.
He added, “We’re very ready. I just feel a few things need to be done. The tartan track floodlights, scoreboard, the swimming pool, tennis courts, these are very infinitesimal in facilities that need to be put in place.
“I am sure the determination of Governor Abiodun is beyond human comprehension. I believe strongly that by the time he starts his own inspection of all of these facilities, we would have been ready.”
The festival is scheduled to hold in the Gateway State between November and December 2024.
