Ogun state has been officially announced as the host of 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF).
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports development Sunday Dare who disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the 21st edition said Oyo state emerged as runners up and on standby in the contest to host the competition in the next two years.
According to the Minister, “This is the first time we are having runners up on standby to ensure that the momentum of the competition is sustained.”
Ogun was picked as the host of 22nd NSF after Delta state with a historic performance swept past other states with a wide margin to retain their first position at the end of the just concluded edition which held at Asaba, Delta state capital.
With a total of 648 medals, comprising 320 gold, 200 silver and 128 bronze, Delta made a lightweight of other participating state.
It was Bayelsa state that came close with 337 medals – made up of 132 gold, 115 silver and 90 bronze to finish second, followed by Edo that settled for third with 339 medals – 78 gold, 94 silver and 167 bronze.
Remarkably, Federal Capital Territory finished above 10th, precisely on the 9th with 59 medals – 15 gold, 11 silver and 33 bronze, being their best ever performance in the history of the biennial competition.
Oyo, Lagos, Rivers, Kano and Ogun states ended the campaign on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th positions respectively. Akwa Ibom was placed 10th on the table.
