President Tinubu Kicks Off Torch of Unity Movement, Reaffirms Commitment to Sports Development
By Usman A Harande
In a symbolic ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu flagged off the Torch of Unity Movement for the 22nd National Sports Festival, slated to take place in Ogun State from May 16 to May 30. This gesture reaffirms his administration’s dedication to promoting sports development and fostering national unity.
The President emphasized the pivotal role sports play in promoting youth engagement, national cohesion, and economic growth. He urged both public and private sectors to contribute actively to Nigerian sports development, focusing on infrastructure expansion, talent identification, athlete nurturing, and sponsorship of sporting events ².
Key Highlights of the Ceremony
- Torch of Unity: The torch, symbolizing peace, strength, and solidarity, will travel through all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, heralding the festival.
- National Sports Festival: The 22nd edition of the festival, tagged the Gateway Games, will feature over 10,000 athletes competing in various events.
- Elite Athletes: Renowned Nigerian athletes, including Anthony Joshua and Tobi Amusan, are expected to participate in the festival.
- Junior Athletes: For the first time, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has invited the best junior athletes to participate under its sponsorship, competing in the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) category.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State assured that the state is fully prepared to host a world-class event, with state-of-the-art sporting infrastructure and amenities. The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, described the National Sports Festival as Nigeria’s version of the Olympics, highlighting the historic inclusion of junior athletes in the festival.
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