Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun highlighted several key aspects of the upcoming festival, scheduled to take place in Ogun State from May 16th to 30th. A notable feature will be the centralized accommodation of all participating athletes and officials at Babcock University, designated as the games village. This marks a first for the NSF, aligning it with global best practices for such multi-sport events. The Governor assured all attendees, including athletes, spectators, and residents, of robust security measures throughout the duration of the festival.
With an anticipated participation of over 10,000 athletes and officials, the state has been actively revitalizing its sporting infrastructure in preparation for the games. In a symbolic move, former Green Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, has been appointed as the Grand Sports Ambassador for the event, underscoring the state's commitment to making this edition a resounding success.
Governor Abiodun emphasized the state's ambition to "set the pace for others to follow," highlighting the unprecedented step of housing all participants in a single location. He assured that provisions have been made for the well-being of the athletes, including high standards of safety and security, as well as dedicated shuttle services to transport them to their respective competition venues. Traffic management plans will also be implemented to ensure smooth transportation during the games.
Beyond the sporting achievements, the Governor also pointed to the economic benefits that the NSF is expected to bring to Ogun State. He anticipates a significant boost to the local economy, with hotels already experiencing full occupancy and small businesses poised to thrive during the two-week event. The state government views this as an opportunity to cultivate a sustainable sports economy for the future.