Ogun State government has announced its readiness to host the 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF) by unveiling leading professionals in Nigeria’s sports sector as Local Organizing Committee (LOC) members.
Revealingly the 16-man local organizing committee in Abeokuta, the state capital on Tuesday, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, in a statement listed former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the state, Hon. Bukola Olapade as the chairman of the LOC alongside Mr Tilewa Adebajo, a sports enthusiast, as co-chairman.
Olopade, the progenitor of the top-rated Access Bank-sponsored Lagos City Marathon, Abeokuta 10km Marathon race, and the Remo Ultra-race, remains topnotch in the world of sports in Nigeria.
Another member of the Committee, Chief (Mrs.) Falilat Ogunkoya-Omotayo (MON) is regarded as Nigeria’s Queen of Tracks after emerging 1998 Champion at the World Athletics Championship, champion at 400 metres Grand Prix, 200 metres world champion, two-time Olympic medalist and the first female Nigerian to win an individual Olympic medal and holder of the African record in 400 metres till date.
Others members include the Secretary-General of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the NSF Edo 2020, Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, former chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and Chairman of the Youth Committee of African Table Tennis Federation, Dr Kweku Tandoh, as well as the renowned sports psychologist and head of the Department of Sports and Exercise Medical Sciences at University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana, Professor Oluwaseun Olanrewaju Omotayo, the Vice Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu; renowned Sports Journalist Mr. Kunle Solaja, Olusegun Oyende, Mr. Olatunji Onatolu, retired ace broadcaster Mrs. Modele Sharafa Yussuf, Demola Are, Abiodun Jubril Elegbede, Ola Opedimeji Adisa, the former Commissioner for Youth & Sports and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The statement said that the LOC has been mandated to set up sub-committees, made up of various stakeholders to ensure a hitch-free exercise as well as deliver a sports festival that is second to none in the country.