A total of 320 athletes, 65 coaches, and 356 officials from Oyo State have departed Ibadan for the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, which kicks off in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the official opening ceremony on Sunday.
The delegation, comprising taekwondoists, weightlifters, swimmers, table tennis players, judokas, boxers, gymnasts, golfers, volleyball players, and others, left the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, on Friday morning in high spirits, traveling in a convoy to the host city.
Team Oyo is set to compete in 32 different sports including football, boxing, tennis, wrestling, handball, gymnastics, judo, chess, swimming, volleyball, Scrabble, Taekwondo, karate, golf, athletics, and others.
Arrival of participating teams is scheduled for today across designated venues in Abeokuta, as the biennial multi-sport event runs from May 16 to 30, 2025.
In a statement to newsmen, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Honourable Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, encouraged the athletes to give their best and uphold the state’s legacy of excellence.
Before the team’s departure, the General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Mr. Tunde Ajibike, addressed the contingent on behalf of the Commissioner.
He urged the athletes to make the state proud both on and off the field, highlighting Oyo’s status as a leading light in Nigerian sports, thanks to its strong commitment to athlete development and talent management.
Ajibike emphasized the importance of dedication, discipline, optimism, and trust, urging the athletes to embody the spirit of sportsmanship and represent Oyo with pride.
