President Bola Tinubu has called on governments at all levels to leverage sports for economic growth and development.

Mr Tinubu said this on Thursday while declaring close the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged: “Gateway Games 2024” in Abeokuta.

Team Delta emerged the overall winner with a total of 323 medals.

The 14-day competition featured over 9,000 athletes  competing in 33 sporting activities across various centres in Ogun.

Addressing the participants, Mt Tinubu who was represented by the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, expressed his determination to change the fortune of the country and secure the future of generations yet unborn.

He described sports as a driver of economic activities, saying the sports festival has promoted the spirit of togetherness irrespective of tribe, ethnicity, language, and religious differences.

“The sports festival is not just a celebration of National unity but also a celebration of the can-do spirit of Nigerians.

“Sports has continued to be a driver of economic and the spirit of togetherness, especially with the accommodation of the athletes in one location.

“Every single participant in this festival is a winner,” he said.

Mr Tinubu stressed the need for schools in the country to integrate sports into their school curriculum towards the revitalisation of sports

He added that sports have continued to contribute effectively to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation’s economy.

The president  commended the efforts of various stakeholders, especially Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun  for providing the infrastructure for the success of the festival.

Mr Abiodun thanked the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their fairness and integrity in ensuring that every medal won by the athletes counts to them.

He congratulated the athletes for their unwavering dedication to excellence and show of sportsmanship.

“I want to say congratulations; whether you are leaving here as winners, as runners-up, or by way of experience that you have gathered from this festival.

“You should leave here with your shoulders high, knowing very well that you have represented your state and the nation well.

“On this note, I want to thank everyone that has made this game a huge success. God bless Nigeria,” Mr Abiodun said.

In his remarks, chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko. commended Ogun government for a successful hosting of the sports festival.

According to him, with the quality of infrastructure and warm reception,Ogun has raised the bar and set a new benchmark going forward.

He added that the festival has demonstrated the growing viability of the sports economy in Nigeria, “from the sale of merchandise to local merchandising, hospitality and the increase of private partnerships”.

“Ogun 2024 has clearly shown that sports is indeed a driver of economic activities.

“Your generosity, warmth and efficient coordination have made this festival not only successful but memorable in its spirit, which has resulted in positive outcomes both in sporting terms and in the advancement of economic activities.

“You provided the best infrastructure and enablers for the games. You welcomed our athletes, officials, and guests with open arms and demonstrated the highest standards of hospitality and organisation.

“Ogun has indeed raised the bar, and without doubt, these games have now set the benchmark going forward,” he said.

Dikko also thanked  Tinubu for his steadfast support for sports development as a tool to unite and transform the nation.

He said that under Mr Tinubu’s administration, sports has become a pillar for national development, youth engagement and international diplomacy.

The high point of the event was the handing over of the festival flag to the next host of the 2026 National Sports Festival,  Enugu State by Mr Abiodun.

The NSF is a biennial multi-sport event organised by the federal government of Nigeria.

It brings together athletes from across the country to compete, promoting unity, sportsmanship, and excellence nationwide.

(NAN)