President Bola Tinubu believes the Nigerian sports sector will keep thriving under the government’s renewed hope initiative as the country holds the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State, The PUNCH reports.

Over 15,000 athletes from the 36 states of the federation, the FCT and the Invited Junior Athletes are competing at the games which runs till May 30.

The MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta was packed with athletes, officials and teeming spectators from within and outside Abeokuta on Sunday, for the magnificent opening ceremony, marking the official start of the games.

President Tinubu was represented at the event by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who also officially declared the games open.

Also in attendance were the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governors of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel and Segun Oshoba,  prominent Nigerian writer, Professor Wole Soyinka, lawmakers at the federal and state level in Ogun State and other top government functionaries.

“Sports is the music of our shared ambitions. That is why here in Nigeria, we have made sports a culture. Not just a mere event but a way of life,” the President said.

“The reorganisation of the Nigerian sports shows how serious this administration takes the sector.

“We have nurtured a lineage of excellence and this is the heritage upon which we stand today and this sports festival is a continuation of that excellence.”

It’s the second time the National Sports Festival is being held in Ogun State after the first in 2006 and Governor Dapo Abiodun was quick to reassure athletes and guests of the state’s readiness to host the best sports festival in the history of the country.

“This event is a celebration of unity, athletic excellence, and youthful energy, reflecting the enduring spirit of our nation,” Governor Abiodun said.

“Sports has the power to inspire and unite people. Ogun State is proud to welcome everyone to the 22nd National Sports Festival. Our bid  to host this event was anchored on our holistic development agenda of Building Our Future Together.”

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and the DG of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, who doubles as the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, also shared the agenda of President Tinubu to reposition the sports industry of Nigeria.

“In line with the mandate of the President, the NSC has initiated the renewed hope initiative for the sports industry to make our sports developmental and value-adding,” Dikko said.

“Our strategic objectives are clear for ultimate delivery and the expected outcomes are job creation, targeting about three per cent of the GDP.”