Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has received the National Sports Festival Torch of Unity from officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The Festival’s Torch of Unity had gone through Abuja, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Benue, before being received by Governor Abdullahi Sule on Thursday, with the final destination in the North Central Zone of Plateau State, the following day.
Speaking shortly after receiving the torch, Governor Sule expressed gratitude to the NSC for passing the Torch of Unity to Nasarawa State. He assured the Commission of the commitment of his administration and Nasarawa State to ensuring the full participation and rewarding outing of Team Nasarawa at the main event in May 2025.
“Thank you for being in Nasarawa State and for your kind comments about the reception you have received so far,” Governor Sule said. “I also thank our athletes and the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development headed by Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, for receiving you the way they did.”
“That’s what we are all about. As a State, we are enjoying peace, harmony and friendship, which corroborate with what this event symbolises, a united Nigeria. We thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Sports Commission for taking up this initiative.”
“Which is a lead-up to the commencement of the National Sports Festival. Thank you for your prayers about the performance of Team Nasarawa at various national sporting events.”
“We might not be participating in all the sporting events at the Festival this year, but we surely will participate in sports where we have comparative advantage and have medal hopes, and by the grace of God, we will come out flying with medals in Ogun State,” Governor Sule stated.
Meanwhile, Leader of the National Sports Commission’s delegation, Ikana Mbora, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given a mandate for the Sports Festival to commence.
“In compliance with the presidential directive to hold the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, next month, the National Sports Commission, as it’s the tradition, is passing the Torch of Unity round the States of the Federation and FCT, Abuja,” she said.
“Which aims to explain that sports unify people of different backgrounds and an invitation to participate in the multi-sports biennial event.”
She thanked Governor Sule for his passion for sports and pro-activeness in receiving the delegation.
“We want to thank you for your dexterity, and suffice to say you are the first Governor since we began the passing of the Torch of Unity this year to personally receive the Torch of Unity,” Mbora said.
“Nasarawa State is home to an amazing leader who is very hospitable, and with wonderful people. We hope to see Team Nasarawa perform better than they have ever done in the past in the National Sports Festival this year.”
The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival holds from 16th-30th May, 2025, with over five thousand elite athletes and coaches expected to compete for medals in over thirty sports events.
Delta State are the defending champions of the Sports Festival, winning the 2022 edition held in Asaba, the Capital of Delta State.
The National Sports Festival aims to promote national unity and sporting excellence among Nigerian youth, while nurturing them for global competitions and podium appearances.
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