Sports

14 Days to Go: Ogun State Ready to Host Nigeria’s Biggest Sports Festival Yet

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2025

Nearly two decades after making history in 2006, Ogun State is once again taking center stage. Back then, the Gateway Games left a lasting impression on the nation under the visionary leadership of the then Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and then Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Bukola Olopade.

The much-anticipated 22nd National Sports Festival is now at our doorsteps, and excitement is reaching crescendo.

Athletes, coaches, fans, stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts across the country are gearing up for what promises to be Nigeria’s biggest sporting spectacle—the 2024 Gateway Games.

Today, in 2025, Olopade returns with double the influence—serving as both the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) and the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

From May 16th to 31st, Ogun State will welcome between 12,000 to 15,000 athletes from across Nigeria, competing in over 32 sports. Preparations are in top gear to deliver a festival that celebrates talent, unity, sportsmanship, and national pride.

The leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) led by Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, has been instrumental in driving the momentum and vision behind the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF). Known for his strategic acumen and results-oriented approach, Dikko has brought his wealth of experience to mobilize resources, foster collaboration across sectors, and set clear performance benchmarks as a strong foundation for the success of the Festival.

The legendary MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta now upgraded with brand-new tartan tracks and world-class facilities, will be the heart of the action. Its Olympic-sized swimming pool is set to host top-tier aquatic events, while the handball and tennis courts are sporting fresh, vibrant looks.

Elsewhere, the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, Abeokuta has undergone a major facelift, including improved flooring, roofing, lighting, and upgraded indoor arenas. The refurbished multi-sport complex is ready to host martial arts, squash, boxing, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and more.

Additional venues such as the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, Abeokuta Sports Club, and Babcock University are also prepared to welcome participants. Babcock University, in particular, is primed to serve as a vibrant athletes’ village, offering accommodation, medical support, and catering services.

With facilities nearing completion and the finishing touches being applied to logistics, Ogun State is set to deliver a festival that will not only raise the bar but also leave athletes and fans with lifelong memories.

Gateway Games 2024 is more than a sporting event—it’s a celebration of Nigeria’s enduring spirit and a tribute to our nation’s rich sports heritage.

Let the countdown begin!

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

8 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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