Ogun unveils 16-man local organizing committee – The Sun Nigeria

…nominate former sports commissioner, Olapade as chairman, Adebajo as vice chairman

Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Government is set to host the 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) after announcing a 16-man Local Organizing Committee (LOC) made up of leading sports professionals in the country.

The state government led by Governor Abiodun had in May signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development to host the sports fest.

While signing the MoU, Governor Abiodun had informed a Federal Government delegation led by the then Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, that Ogun State, known for recording many firsts in all fields of human endeavours, was ready to host the world-class meet. festival in 2024, claiming that Ogun had skillful hands and sponsors ready to back the bid.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi, on Tuesday in the state capital, Abeokuta, introduced the 16-man LOC in a statement with the former State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Bukola Olapade, who is the brains of the state. The top rated Access Bank sponsored Lagos City Marathon, Abeokuta 10km Marathon and Remo ultra race as the committee chairman together with sports enthusiast Tilewa Adebajo as chairman.

Another notable member of the committee is Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo (MON), considered the Queen of the Track, 1998 Athletics World Cup Champion, 400m Grand Prix Champion, 200m World Champion, two-time Olympic medalist and the first female Nigerian to win an individual Olympic medal and holds the African record for the 400 in meters so far.

Other members include the Executive Secretary of the NSF Edo 2020 Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa; Former Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC); African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) Working Committee and Chairman of the African Table Tennis Federation Youth Committee, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, as well as a well-known sports psychologist and Head of the Department of Sports and Exercise Sciences at the University of Health. Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana, Professor Oluwaseun Olanrewaju Omotayo,

The committee also includes the Deputy Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government Dare Alebiosu; Mr. Kunle Solaja, Oyende, Olatunji Onatolu, Mrs Ola Opedimeji Adisa, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The statement stated that the LOC has been mandated to establish sub-committees consisting of various stakeholders to ensure pain-free exercises and to organize sports celebrations unmatched in the country.