Ogun is state to beat as host of 2024 National Sports Festival — Abiodun

Dapo Abiodun. Photo/facebook.com/ogsgofficial

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has indicated the state readiness to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) in 2024.

In a statement yesterday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, Abiodun said this when the 22nd National Sport Festival Evaluation Committee paid him a visit in his office on Friday.

Abiodun, who expressed conviction that no other state can beat Ogun in its plans to host the festival after almost 16 years it hosted it, said the state is one of the most peaceful in the country.

He urged the committee to make security, peaceful atmosphere and the wellbeing of the athletes the most important consideration above others.

“Our state is the Gateway State and I do not think that any other state can compete and defeat us in the bidding for this National Sport Festival.

“So, on behalf of my team, I want to assure you that we will be ready to host this sports festival. I want to thank the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare. And I have told him we are hosting this festival; we are ready for it.

“I think a festival like this, one of your topmost considerations should be a venue where you can guarantee the safety of the athletes and also the visitors. I think that consideration ranks higher than any other consideration, it has to be number one and once you take that on your checklist, you can begin to look at other areas.

“I beat my chest and proudly say that Ogun State is one of the most peaceful states in the country, if not the most peaceful state in the country and I think that is a very serious consideration and we will continue to do everything to sustain that role as one of the most peaceful states in the country,”