The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, appointed Chief Bukola Olopade as the Chairperson Local Organising Committee for the 2024 National Sports Festival.
Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, Ogun State Secretary, made the announcement today in Abeokuta.
Talabi said in the announcement, which also announced the 16-member Local Organizing Committee, that the state was ready to hold a world-class National Sports Festival.
Sports fan Tilewa Adebayo became LOC Co-chairman.
The Ogun State administration said Governor Dapo Abiodun’s vow to hold a successful 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) was fulfilled with Chief Bukola Olopade’s appointment on Tuesday.
The state administration and the Federal Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Social Development inked an Agreement in May.
Governor Abiodun addressed the Federal Government team headed by the then Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, that Ogun State, known for its numerous firsts in all fields of human endeavour, was ready to organise a world-class festival in 2024 and had competent hands and sponsors to back the proposal.
To that end, the former minister said that the FG accepted the idea and chose Ogun State as the next host of the NSF owing to its culture of sports development, availability of athletic facilities, and capability to stage a proper festival that would last.
Olopade, a Nigerian sports legend, founded the Access Bank-sponsored Lagos City Marathon, Abeokuta 10km Marathon, and Remo Ultra-race. During Gateway Games 2006, he staged the finest Nigerian sports festival ever.
Chief (Mrs.) Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo (MON), Secretary-General of the NSF Edo 2020 Local Organising Committee (LOC), is another committee member. Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, ex-Lagos State Sports Commission chairman (LSSC) Dr. Kweku Tandoh, renowned sports psychologist and Head of the Department of Sports and Exercise Medical Sciences at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana, Professor Oluwaseun Olanrewaju Omotayo, Vice Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, veteran sports journalist Mr. Kunle Solaja, Olusegun Oyende, Mr. Olatunji Onatolu, retired ace broadcaster Mrs Modele Sharafa Yussuf, Rugby Federation president Demola Are, Abiodun Jubril
The statement added the LOC must form subcommittees of stakeholders to guarantee a smooth process and a top-tier sports festival.
