Ogun State has won the bid to host the next edition of the National Sports Festival in 2024.
Although their identities were not revealed, Daily Trust on Sunday can confirm that Six states had submitted their bids to be awarded the right to host the 22nd National Sports Festival.
The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Akin Dare, made the announcement yesterday at the closing ceremony of the 2022 edition of the NSF in Asaba, Delta state.
Oyo state as runners-up will be on standby in case Ogun State falters in hosting the biennial games.
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The minister also congratulated Team Delta for the historic defence of the title they won in Edo 2021 while urging other states to keep catching up if possible dethrone Team Delta in the next festival.
Meanwhile, in an earlier interview with our correspondent, Dare had given an indication that the next edition of the National Sports Festival will be held in April 2024.
“The fact that the 2022 Delta happened means we have been able to sustain the momentum for our sportsmen and women. We didn’t wait two years to do it. We made sure we did it in 18 months to adjust the calendar. We will go back to our calendar in April 2024.
“Without competition, an athlete will not exist. The National Sports Festival is the number one ticketed sport in the country. In sport, nothing is 100%, but we strive to reach the 100% mark,” he said.
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