The Ogun State government has expressed the confidence of winning the 22nd National Sports Festival, NSF, to be hosted by the state in 2024.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Dr. Yusuf Qudus, made this known on Wednesday, when the newly elected executives of the Ogun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, paid him a courtesy visit.
Noting that efforts were ongoing to get the best athletes who will represent the Gateway State at the biennial sports festival, Dr. Yusuf described the association as a partner that will assist the state in the growth of sports in the state.
He disclosed that the state government has sent out scouting team to bring back home athletes who are indigenes if the state but representing other states.
He maintained that the state government has approved the organization of national and sub-national events to test the sporting facilities spread across the state and expose the athletes in readiness for the NSF.
He added that these national and sub-national events would help the state to discover more talents and nurture them to become international stars.
Congratulating the new SWAN executives for their emergence at the election, the Permanent Secretary urged members of the association to be objective and fair in their reportage.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s determination to support the association to take the association to the next level.
He said, “The role of SWAN can not be downplayed in the coming National Sports Festival. We want to urge you to report the state government’s impact on sports development objectively.
“We have encouraged national and sub-national events to test our facilities and expose our talents and get new talents ahead of the National Sports Festival.
“The sports ministry wants a very cordial relationship and partnership that will help us to grow sports. We have begun the process of recalling our athletes in other states. We have sent out our scouts to look for these athletes because Ogun State is hosting the National Sports Festival to win. We have to thank His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun for this.”
Earlier, the state SWAN Chairman, Mr Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, applauded the state government for winning the hosting rights for the 22nd National Sports Festival in 2024.
Ogunsiji noted that the Nigeria Olympics would boost the internally generated revenue of the state during the festival.
Informing that the association remained a partner in the development of sports in the state, Ogunsiji solicited the continued support of the ministry to the association.
