Gateway Games: NSC commends sports journalists for objective reportage, urges states to host sports festival for economic, infrastructural development

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By Usman Shehu in Abeokuta

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade has urged the media to continue partnering with the Commission and support the Ogun State Government, the host state of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival tagged “Gateway Games” 2024, in their reportage to deliver a world-class games.

The Director General seek for the partnership and support during his first official press conference with over 200 sports journalists covering the festival at the media centre of the games in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.

Hon. Olopade expressed his appreciation to journalists for their objective reportage so far, under the watchful eyes of the National Body of SWAN led its President Mr. Benjamin Isiaih.

The DG used the opportunity to encourage more states to host the National Sports Festival (NSF), considering its vast gains to both state and national development.

He explained that the gains of hosting an event of this important cannot be correctly qualify in only Naira and Kobo because it is very huge.

He said “You cannot underestimate the power of sports. Sports deals with everything that has to do with development. From infrastructural development, capacity building, entertainment and hospitality.

“This is why you can’t put in Naira and Kobo worth the revenue value of this sort of event. sports goes to road maintenance, building new roads, capacity building, feasibility and positioning of not just the Country but the host State”.

He further informed that on the tangible aspect of sports commerce, small and medium scale businesses are already thriving in the various centers of the Games across the state.

“Over 300 small scale businesses are operating inside the stadium currently because of the Games, and when you go to Babcock University and it’s surrounding over a 1000 small scale businesses are operating there as well,” the DG said.