The Joint Technical Committee for the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), Ogun 2024, has announced an adjustment to the Games’ schedule. The National sports festival will now take place from May 16 to 30, 2025, with zonal eliminations for team sports scheduled for February 23 to 28, 2025.
The communiqué, signed by Hon. Adebukola Olopade, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), and Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, Commissioner for Sports Development in Ogun State, emphasized the need for thorough planning to reflect the new direction of sports in the country.
National Sports Festival 2025 Schedule:
Zonal Eliminations: 23rd–28th February
NSF Main Event:
Arrival: 16th–17th May
Opening Ceremony: 18th May
Competitions: 18th–29th May
Closing Ceremony: 29th May
Departure: 30th May pic.twitter.com/rvRFZlGTGb
— Jide Taiwo sport (@Taiwobabajide6) December 19, 2024
Focus on Athlete Development
A key initiative for the 2024 NSF is the introduction of Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), who will compete as a 38th state for the first time in NSF history. This initiative aims to expose young, promising athletes to high-level competition, creating a platform for them to challenge established athletes.
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Hon. Olopade highlighted that the initiative is part of President Tinubu’s vision to develop Nigeria’s youth and empower the next generation of sports stars.
“We are excited about the new date and the additional five months to refine our preparations,” said Olopade. “This will help us showcase Nigeria’s full capacity and ensure the Games are a success.”
Ongoing Preparations
The first joint technical meeting, held on December 19, 2024, also included a thorough inspection of proposed venues. A second meeting and inspection visit are planned to address any remaining issues ahead of the Games.
