Ogun State, located in South-Western Nigeria, have been awarded the hosting rights of the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF), scheduled to take place in the capital city Abeokuta, in 2024.
Should Ogun State fail to be ready for the sports fiesta at the scheduled time, Oyo State will be waiting on the sidelines as a back-up host for the sporting event.
Sports Minister Sunday Dare, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, made the announcement during the closing ceremony of the 21st edition of the games at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
“I have the pleasure this evening to announce the next host of the 2024 edition of the National Sports Festival, the next host for the 22nd National Sports Festival in 2024 is Ogun State,” Dare said.
“We also have a runner-up. For the first time, we have a runner-up. The runner-up for the bidding is Oyo State.”
The Minister also said five states put in the bid to host the 22nd edition of the festival, billed for 2024. He said the essence of placing a willing state on standby was to make them ready in case the earlier chosen State failed to meet up.
Ogun State finished Eighth in at the just concluded 21st edition with 70 medals comprising 15 Gold, 18 silver, and 37 Bronze.
