The Federal Government has postponed the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged, ‘Gateway Games, Ogun 2024’, to January 2025.

Recall that Sunday Dare, the then Minister of Youth and Sports Development, announced Ogun as the next host in Asaba during the closing ceremony of the 21st NSF on December 10, 2022.

However, in a communique released after the first National Council on Sports, at the Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, Enugu State, the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, announced the postponement of the games.

The minister commended the Ogun State Government for its commitment ahead towards hosting the festival, noting that the event plays a vital role in national unity, while also increasing socio-economic growth for the sustainable development of the hosting state and the country in general.

He called on the federal and state governments to bid and host national and international sports competitions, to fast-track the development of sports in the country.

The minister stated that the Council of Sports was in favor of the establishment of the Sports Development and Investment Fund (NSIDF) due to its attendant benefits in promoting sports development in Nigeria, even as he urged all important stakeholders to play active roles toward the successful hosting of the Gateway Games.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the meeting, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, stated that the state government was prepared to host the festival.

He explained that NSF can unite people, promote collaboration and teamwork, instill values of discipline and perseverance, and encourage youth to participate in sports for socio-economic development.

“Through the power of sports, we have the opportunity to come together, forge connections, and celebrate our shared humanity. We are leveraging on the ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda of the governor to leverage on sports development at the grassroots,” he said.