The opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival was a beauty to behold inside the new look of the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, as President Bola Tinubu officially declared the much-anticipated Gateway Games open, with glamour, elegance and colour.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, was accompanied by Governors from Osun, Ondo, Anambra, Imo and Ogun State, including three senators from the State, former Gov, Sen. Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Sen. Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central) and Sen. Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), as well as other members of House of Representatives, charged the participating athletes to compete favourably with integrity in the spirit of true sportsmanship.

The President expressed optimism that the ‘Torch of Unity’ lit at the commencement of the game would serve purposes more than unity, noting that sports had for several decades placed Nigeria on the global map, which the country had been able to walk taller among comity of Nations.

He commended the organisers of the festival, particularly the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, Director-General, Chief Bukola Olopade for their renewed hope initiative for Nigeria’s sports economic framework.

Tinubu applauded Prince Dapo Abiodun for the hospitality which the participating youths have enjoyed since their arrival in the State for the festival, stressing that the State had further consolidated itself as not only the Gateway to knowledge, but one encompassing the desires of the Nation.

Earlier, Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun said the State was hosting the festival to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to National development, disclosing that the State was currently hosting over 12, 000 athletes, officials and coaches.

He allayed the fear of insecurity, emphasising that in conjunction with the NSC his administration had put in place effective security arrangements to guarantee the safety of every participant.

Also, Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Waisu Isiaka revealed that the National Sports Festival represents not just an event, but a celebration of athletic excellence, unity and the spirit of healthy competition, saying it embodies dreams and aspirations of our youths and reflects the transformative power of sports to change lives and build communities.

He noted that the State was showcasing talented athletes and promoting the message that sports serves as a vehicle for social change and personal empowerment.

The record-breaking event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life who celebrated the historic moment of uniting Nigerians through sports with the host, Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The event attracted the likes of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Aremo Segun Osoba, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, former speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole.

The event was spiced up with a lot of display and standing performance by notable artists including, ASA who rendered the rendition of National and Ogun State Anthems in a unique style and with theme song of the festival by another group.