Ogun State government has assured sports enthusiasts of its preparedness to host an exciting and hitch free National Sports Festival come 2005.
The Commissioner for Sports Development in the state, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, gave this assurance while addressing sports journalists at the press centre of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, venue of the ongoing National Youth Games.
The commissioner assured of better sporting facilities to host one of the best festivals in the history of the country.
The commissioner said in line with the vision of the festival to forge unity in the country, all athletes and officials will be housed in one centre.
He added that, adequate transportation system between the three centres of Iperu, Ikenne and Abeokuta will be in place for easy movement of all participants at the Games.
The commissioner also informed that the opening ceremony of the 2024 edition and all events of the Games will be glamorous and1 are geared to match and even surpass the 2006 edition.
He assured journalists in the country that it would partner with Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, for a successful hosting of the 2025 National Sports Festival.
Isiaka noted that, the Ogun SWAN Chairman and other members of the association would be incorporated into the Local Organizing Committee as partners in progress to ensure adequate welfare of journalists covering the National Sports Festival.
He added, “We’ve discussed about it. The SWAN Chairman in Ogun and I have agreed that they will be in the next LOC meeting.
“I’ve even hinted the LOC chairman, Chief Olopade, about it. We are working on it, and I will try and make sure that at least one or two of them will be accommodated.”
On the preparations for the media centre at the event, Isiaka assured that arrangements were already in progress, with the SWAN Chairman in Ogun actively involved.
He emphasized that the necessary steps were being taken to ensure smooth media operations during the festival.
He enthused, “Yes, we have a media centre.
“The SWAN Chairman Ogun is here, and we are working together on that.
“Olapade actually addressed the press on media coverage and how we are working to ensure proper arrangements for the media. There’s no problem as far as media is concerned.”
The competition period for the festival will be from 15th to 24th January, while the closing ceremony will be on 25th January, 2025.
