President Bola Tinubu has lighted the Torch of Unity For the 22nd National Sports Festival, NSC, signalling the beginning of the movement of the Torch across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
President Tinubu lit the torch at the forecourt of the State House, Abuja, at about 02:15 pm when he received a delegation of the National Sports Commission.
Flagging off the movement, the President described the National Sports Festival as a powerful symbol which embodies the spirit of togetherness, peace and solidarity
“This games creates a platform for all states and the FCT to showcase their sporting prowess under the healthy competition in an atmosphere of sportsmanship and friendly interaction to enhance and strengthen national unity.
“The games represents much more than competition for athletic skills it embodies unity strength and resilience that defines all of us as a nation.
“Every step we take together shows the festival is not merely an act of preparation for a sporting event but a re-affirmation of our collective commitment to nation building through sports
President Tinubu expressed his administration’s committment to nation building “through sports by providing incentive for sports development that all levels.”
“Let me reiterate this administration’s commitment to supporting and providing an enabling environment and incentive for sports event at all level ,therefore I call on the public and private sector to continue to play active roles in Nigeria sports development particularly in infrastructural development, talent identification and natural and sponsorship of the sporting events.”
The Nigerian Leader affirmed that the games have been a veritable vehicle for integration and interaction of Nigerian youths ,sports men and women .
President Tinubu called on Public and private sectors to continue to play active roles in the development of Nigeria sports,particularly in infrastructure development, talent and identification.
The host Governor of 2024 National Sport Festival, Governor Dapo Abiodun,said the State is set to host 10000 athletes and officials.
The flagg off of the movement of the Torch of Unity signalled one of the pre-activities of the National Sports Festival.
A movement of the Torch of Unity that would tour the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko said ,the National Sports Festival aligns and speaks to the foregoing reforms framework and objectives of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
“The National Sports Commission is doing all that is required in collaboration with all stakeholders to upscale and ensure the organisation of the best games ever in the upcoming Gateway Games Ogun State that will set a marker for future games
He highlighed that the National Sports Festival is the Nigerian version of the Olympics, which requires a collective determination to exhibit the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.
“Furthermore, for the first time in the history of the games and in furtherance to Mr. President agenda for the Youth, the Commission has invited the best junior athletes in Nigeria to participate at the games under the sponsorship of the Commission.
These Junior athletes will compete at the games under the name Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) which would be captured as the 38th State.
The Torch Movement
The National Sports Festival established in 1973 after the civil war, the festival brings together athletes from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to compete in various sporting disciplines.
A symbolic tradition of the NSF is the movement of the Torch of Unity, which marks the build-up to the festival.
The torch is typically ignited in a ceremonial event and then taken on a nationwide tour, passing through all participating states.
The relay-style movement signifies peace, solidarity, and the collective spirit of sportsmanship that the festival represents.
The arrival of the torch officially signals the commencement of the games.
The Torch which will arrive Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital, the host State, 16th of May, 2025, will begin it’s movement with a procession led by the NSC Torch bearer, Falilat Ogunkoya, to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory , Nyesom Wike.
NSC chairman disclosed that the Torch will tour the Northcentral zone before proceeding to States across Northeast States.
Comments are closed.