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Six Days To Go: Gateway Games 2024 – A Celebration Beyond Sports

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With just six days remaining, excitement continues to build across Nigeria as Ogun State prepares to host the 22nd National Sports Festival, also known as the Gateway Games 2024. Scheduled to take place from May 16th to 31st, this year’s edition is more than a sporting competition—it is a national celebration of unity, culture, and development.

The festival will feature 33 sports, drawing participation from all 36 states of the federation, the FCT, and invited junior athletes, with over 10,000 athletes expected to compete. It promises to be one of the largest gatherings of sports talent in the history of the event.

*A Cultural Showcase Like No Other*

Ogun State, deeply rooted in heritage and tradition, is set to offer a powerful display of Nigerian culture. From vibrant performances during the opening and closing ceremonies to daily exhibitions of art, dance, and indigenous craftsmanship, the festival will celebrate the diversity that defines the nation. Visitors and participants alike will have the opportunity to engage with local customs and cultural expressions from all regions of Nigeria.

*An Economic Catalyst for Ogun State*

The festival is already stimulating economic activity across the state. Thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators will inject new energy into Ogun’s economy, benefiting local businesses, hospitality providers, transportation services, and informal traders. From hotels to markets, the influx of guests is expected to significantly boost revenue and promote tourism in the host communities.

*A Premium Spectator Experience*

Spectators can look forward to a thoughtfully curated experience. Fan engagement zones, live entertainment, digital information displays, and enhanced security measures will ensure a safe, interactive, and memorable environment for everyone attending. Family-friendly spaces and local culinary showcases will further enrich the experience for both local residents and visitors.

*Legacy-Driven Infrastructure Improvements*

Ogun State has made strategic investments in infrastructure, with significant upgrades to key venues including the M.K.O. Abiola International Stadium and the Alake Sports Centre. For the first time in the history of the National Sports Festival, all contingents will be accommodated in a dedicated Games Village, fostering greater collaboration, unity, and logistical efficiency. These developments are set to leave a lasting legacy for future sporting events and community use.

Adding to the momentum is the recent appointment of 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, Chief Segun Odegbami, as the Grand Sports Ambassador of Ogun State. A legendary figure in Nigerian sports, Chief Odegbami’s legacy, leadership, and advocacy for youth development reflect the values the festival aims to promote.

With only six days to go, the 22nd National Sports Festival promises to be a landmark event for Nigerian sports, culture, and national development.

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Team Panamai Wins 5th Millenium Taekwondo Plus Club Competition 

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Former Nigerian Taekwondo athletes have called for more synergy between the government and corporate bodies to raise the standard of the sport in the country

Mukaila Aramide , Koffi Anani , Joseph Golu and Ferguson Oluigbo all agreed that the future is bright for the sport but is challenged by some basic needs to push taekwondo to the top 

They said this at the one day Millenium Taekwondo plus club competition held  at the basketball courts of the National stadium surulere Lagos were over 100 children from different  clubs across Lagos State comperd for honours in poomsea and kyuorgi 

They said Nigeria has the talent who are hungry for success at the biggest stage but lack the necessary requirement to take them there 

The synergy between the public and private sector will help accelerate the growth of Taekwondo in Nigeria through regular tournaments, trainings, good welfare packages and accessibility to world standard facilities which are pre-requsits to becoming world champions 

The age grade championship organised yearly by grand master mukaila Aramide availed the athletes a platform to showcase their skills and develop their knowledge on the sport tney have passion for 

Organised of the championship, Mukaila Aramide, says it’s his own contribution towards the growth of the sport in the country

” The Millenium Taekwondo plus club competition is to put smiles on the faces of  the children, given them a platform to display what they have learnt from their coaches. Without competitons it will be difficult to access how well the athletes have mastered the sport. 

We need more support from the corporate world to be able to take Taekwondo to greater heights in the country, the future is bright for the sport as the talents are abound” He said 

Team Panamai were crowned the overall champions with 10 gold , 10 silver and 4 bronze medals 

Winners got medals, and educational materials for their efforts 

This year’s edition was the 5th installment 

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Alake Of Egbaland Birthday Table Tennis Championship Concludes With Splendor At Ikoyi Club 1938

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The third edition of the prestigious Alake of Egbaland Birthday Table Tennis Championship culminated on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the revered Ikoyi Club 1938, drawing royalty, dignitaries, industrial leaders, and table tennis aficionados. 

The weeklong tournament, served off on Monday, October 6, celebrated the birthday of His Royal Majesty Oba Adedokun Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland

OBA Oluwambe Reuben Sogaolu (Olu of Orile-Imo) and OBA Prof. Saka Adelola (Olowu of Owu) showcased skills in royal exhibition matches.

Chief Taiwo Adeoluwa faced off against

former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, in an exhibition game.

Chief Taiwo Adeoluwa: Organized the tournament to honor the Alake’s contributions to Egbaland’s development and his patronage of Ikoyi Club 1938.

Chairman ikoyi ub 1938, Akinwumi Akintola represented by Vice Chairman Bolaji Martins Lauded the sponsor for backing the annual championship.

Chairman table tennis section of the club Folunsho Ajilore Described the event as a celebration of the Alake’s legacy, leadership, and service, highlighting his impactful reign.

In results of games, Men’s Singles  Tunde Badare defeated opponent 4-2 (11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-5).

In the Women’s Singles, Chinwe Igwe won 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-8) against Ayinwade Banjoko.

Winners in Doubles, Premiership, Championship, Veteran Singles (60+), and Septuagenarian Veteran (70+) categories received trophies and cash prizes.

Men’s/Women’s singles winners got trophies, cash, and iPhones

Director General, National Sports Commission Hon. Bukola Olopade Praised Ikoyi Club’s sports development role.

Birthday Cake Cutting Marked festivities honoring the Alake.

The championship blended sportsmanship, cultural pride, and celebration of the Alake’s esteemed position.

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Ikoyi Club 1938 Rounds Up 87th Anniversary With Colourful Gala Nite

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The weeklong  87th anniversary of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 came to a close on Sunday, October, 5, 2025 with a colourful Gala nite .

Chairman of the club, Akinwumi Akintola expresses  happiness on the hitch free event while noting that the club will continue to strive to maintain it’s leadership position amongst recreational clubs in sub- saharan Africa.

He was also full of praise to  the general committee and the  anniversary sub- committee for putting up a colourful event while he thanked sponsors that identified with the anniversary celebration.

“It’s a thing of joy that the 87th anniversary was a colourful and eventual one and for the past one week, members and invited guests had a fill of the hospitality which the club is noted for.

I also want to express my appreciation to the anniversary committee for a job well done and to our sponsors for identifying with the club  and I hope they’ll still be there for us when we hold the 88th anniversary next year”. He said 

According to him, the attendance of the Alaafin of Oyo to the event is a testament that the club is a respectable one and they will continue to sustain the legacy Ikoyi is noted for since it came into existence on September 29, 1938, through the merger of the European Club and the Lagos Golf Club.

Chairman of the anniversary committee who also doubles as the Vice Chairman of the Club, Bolaji Martins noted that the glory for  success recorded should go to the entire members of the committee who toiled day and night to ensure they had a seamless event 

In his remarks, the Royal father of the day and the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba, Akeem Abimbola Owoade commended the club for the legacies it has built over the years, promising that he’ll not hesitate to attend any event of the club when invited.

He admonished the members to continue with their spirit of friendship and oneness which has made the club record a milestone as the only socio cultural recreation club with eight sections in the country.

The gala nite was spiced up with music, dance, cutting of the anniversary cake, presentation of trophies to tournament winners from the various sections of the club and unveiling of the anniversary mascot known as ‘Ajala’ and raffle draw. 

There was also a demonstration by the Karate class of the club 

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