Ogun state fully ready for national sports festival, says Governor Abiodun

The Ogun State Government has assured readiness for the hosting of the National Sports Festival (NSF) scheduled to hold between May 16 to 30, 2025 in the state

Penpushing reports that Governor Dapo Abiodun, gave the assurance during an assessment tour of the Moshood Abiola International Stadium and the Alake Sports Centre, all in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The Governor boasted that preparations for the successful hosting of the National Sports Festival are in top gear as finishing touches are being put on the facilities at the designated centers.

Penpushing further reports that Abiodun said the construction of an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and a handball court behind the main bowl of the Abiola Stadium was nearing completion, while the facilities at the Alake Sports Centre are at various stages of completion.

‘The last time we visited the swimming pool site, it was at the foundation level, but there is a lot of construction in progress. The construction will allow us to make corrections; it will allow for inputs and suggestions’, he said.

“I am glad that starting from the MKO Abiola Stadium, where we saw the track is already in place, the field is about 80 percent completed. The warm-up hold, the main bowl, the handball courts, and the tennis courts are at advanced stages of completion’, Abiodun added.

“Coming to the Alake Sports Centre, it is like night and day compared to what was obtained the last time we came here. I would say that this facility is probably at about 95 percent completion, and I am confident that we are well prepared to host Nigerian youths. We are adequately positioned to host the best National Sports Festival in the history of the games’, he emphasised

Penpushing also reports that he maintained that though there is still some work to be done, assuring that no stone would be left unturned in the provision of all the required infrastructure before the commencement of the festival.

The Governor added that the renovation of the sports facilities in the state has begun to yield benefits as the African Athletics Federation has chosen Ogun State to host the athletics competition in 2026 for the Under-20.

‘So, you find that based on what we have done, Ogun State will now become home to other world-class competitions across the country, across Sub-Saharan Africa, and even internationally. For us, we are already excited that this investment has begun to yield dividends. This will be one of the legacies of our administration’, he stated.

Penpushing reports that Abiodun in same vein, disclosed that his administration has chosen to construct a pavilion behind the Abiola Stadium to cater to other non-sporting events, with the main bowl of the stadium dedicated only to sporting events.

‘Let me assure you that the stadium will only be used for sporting activities. To that extent, we’ve chosen to construct a pavilion somewhere behind the stadium, and that pavilion will now be used for rallies, parties, march pasts, October 1 celebrations, Labour Day celebrations, community days, and Democracy Day. All those events will cease to happen in the stadium; the stadium will be made available only for sporting activities.”

Penpushing further reports that the Governor added that in a related development plans are underway to rename the stadium as the Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola Sporting Complex.

“Our MKO Abiola International Stadium has now gone beyond being just an MKO Abiola International Stadium; it is now an MKO Abiola Sporting Complex. We will soon be holding the renaming ceremony’, he said.

Penpushing also reports that he pointed out that 15,000 people are expected to attend the National Sports Festival (NSF), adding that his administration is working to get the Olumo Rock Tourist Center and other adjoining tourist centers ready for the games.

“The festival itself will allow us to host maybe 15,000 people in the city of Abeokuta. You can imagine that those people will be eating and drinking; they will be transported back and forth. They will be buying recharge cards and water’.

“Where am I going? They will be visiting our tourist sites. We are getting Olumo Rock and other adjoining tourist centers ready for the games. There will be a lot of visitors sleeping in hotels. The economic impact of this festival on the economy of this state can best be imagined; the multiplier effect will be felt more after the games’, he said.

Penpushing reports that he added that the National Sports Festival (NSF) creates an opportunity for new talents to be discovered for both national and international sporting meets, noting that what his administration has done with the investment in sporting facilities in the state is the best across the country.

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