By Olusegun Folarin
The recently held 22nd National Sports Festival tagged GATEWAY GAMES 2024 has come and gone but the memories of the sports Fiesta still linger in the minds of the people across the country. The festival hosted by Ogun State, 19 years after the state hosted the event had been adjudged the best festival. The fiesta held between 16th to 30th May 2025 was greeted with thrilling finishes on the track to the strategic battles in the chess hall. The festival once again showcased the immense potential lurking within every corner of our nation.
The introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes also known as IJA added impetus to the Nigerian version of the Olympics. The initiative by the National Sports Commission, under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Chief Bukola Olopade was to expose the young athletes to a stiff competitions in preparations fo the international engagements.
Now that the medals have been awarded, the anthems sung, and the echoes of cheers have faded, a crucial question emerges: what’s next for Nigerian sports? The National Sports Festival, undoubtedly, serves as a vital platform to discover raw talent, fosters healthy competition among our states, and provides a much-needed spotlight on various disciplines.
We saw young athletes, some barely known before the festival, rise to prominence, breaking records and capturing hearts. These are the future stars, the ones who could potentially bring glory to Nigeria on the continental and global stages.However, the festival itself is just one stepping stone. The real challenge, and indeed the real work, begins now. How do we ensure these talents are nurtured, retained, and developed into world-class competitors?
Firstly, the issue of sustained funding and investment in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare is paramount. Many of our facilities are still a far cry from international standards. Though, Governor Dapo Abiodun change the face of Sports infrastructure in Ogun State with the construction of Olympic Size swimming pool, there is need modern training camps, well-equipped gyms, and access to sports science and physiotherapy. Beyond infrastructure, consistent stipends and scholarship opportunities are essential to allow athletes to focus on their training without financial burden.
Secondly, a robust post-festival development programme is critical. It’s not enough to identify talent; there is the need to have a clear pathway for them. This means establishing national academies, creating stronger links between grassroots sports and national federations, and implementing structured coaching Programmes that align with global best practices. We need to move away from a “festival-to-festival” approach and towards a continuous development model.
Thirdly, let’s talk about coaching and technical expertise. Our coaches are the unsung heroes, but they too need continuous training, access to advance methodologies, and opportunities for international exposure. Investing in coach development is investing directly in the future performance of our athletes.
And finally, with the 23rd edition to be staged in 2026 in Enugu, there is the need to consider long-term strategic planning. Where do we want Nigerian sports to be in the next five, ten, or even twenty years? Are we aiming for dominance in specific sports? Are we building a sustainable pipeline for Olympic and Commonwealth Games? This requires a clear vision, collaborative efforts between government, private sector, and sports federations, and accountability.
The 22nd National Sports Festival was a success in bringing people together regardless of culture, ethnic and religious background. But its true legacy will be measured by what happens in the days, weeks, and months that follow.
