The Vice president Kashim Shettima has declared open the 22nd of National Sports Festival at MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta Ogun State.
Shettima who represents the President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, said sports is a means of promoting national unity among the entire people of Nigeria.
He said sports not only a tools for national unity, but also promote economic development.
He also said that the current administration recognize sports for patriotism because for more than decade, sports has placed Nigeria on a global map and one of the force for national unity.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his welcome address stated that the National Sports Festival is not just only a sporting events rather than celebration to build a stronger Nigeria.
“He urged all the athletes to compete with passion, integrity, honour and respect each other during and after the event as sports remains one of the powerful event for unity.
“Our demand to host this events is on our unshakable beliefs in transformative power of sports as a catalyst for youth development. He said.
On his part the chairman of National Sports Commission, Malam Shehu Dikko, said the president Ahmad Bola Tinubu decision to reorganisation the federal ministry of Sports into National Sports Commission has laid a foundation for the sustainable growth in the sporting industry.
Shehu Dikko further said for the first time in history of sports festival the introduce the Invited junior athletes.
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