Ogun State is fully prepared to host the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, Governor Dapo Abiodun declared on Thursday after inspecting the facilities designated for the event in Abeokuta.
During his assessment of the venues, including the MKO Abiola International Stadium, the Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and the handball court behind the main bowl, as well as the Alake Sports Centre, Abiodun reaffirmed the state’s readiness for the festival.
“Our facilities are not just for this festival alone but for other national and international competitions. We are committed to positioning Ogun as a sporting hub,” the governor stated.
He further revealed that the African Athletics Federation has selected the MKO Abiola International Stadium to host the Under-20 Athletics Competition in 2026, emphasizing that this decision was influenced by the world-class tracks installed at the stadium.
“The track that we installed here has already begun to yield benefits. Because of the quality of our tracks, the African Athletics Federation has chosen Ogun State to host the Under-20 athletics competition in 2026,” Abiodun said.
The governor also announced that once renovations are complete, the stadium will be exclusively used for sporting activities.
“Let me assure you that the stadium will only be used for sporting activities. To that extent, we’ve chosen to construct a pavilion behind the stadium, and that pavilion will now be used for rallies, parties, October 1 celebrations, Labour Day, and community events,” he explained.
As part of the state’s sports development strategy, the governor disclosed plans to rename the stadium as the MKO Abiola Sporting Complex.
“Our MKO Abiola International Stadium has now gone beyond being just an MKO Abiola International Stadium; it is now an MKO Abiola Sporting Complex. We will soon be holding the renaming ceremony,” he added.
Abiodun highlighted the economic impact of the festival, noting that the state expects to host about 15,000 visitors who will patronize local businesses, hotels, and tourist attractions, including Olumo Rock.
“You can imagine that those people will be eating and drinking; they will be transported back and forth. They will be buying recharge cards and water. They will be visiting our tourist sites. We are getting Olumo Rock and other adjoining tourist centers ready for the games,” he noted.
According to the governor, the festival will also serve as a platform for discovering new sporting talents who could represent Nigeria at national and international levels.
“What we have done with the investment in sporting facilities in the state is the best across the country. This festival will be an avenue for talent discovery and will leave a lasting impact on sports development in Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole,” he concluded.
