The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade has said that Ogun state is setting standards, and raising the bar with the hosting of the 22nd National Sports Festival.

Ogun state staged a spectacular opening ceremony on Sunday, at the Main-Bowl of the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, to set the stage for the two weeks multi-sports event in different centres across the state.

Speaking at the Media Briefing at the Conference Hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta today Tuesday May 20, 2025, Olopade said that the state promised to raise the bar in infrastructure provision, athletes welfare and other logistics, pointing out that that is being achieved as the Festival progresses.

He commended the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, members of both the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), sponsors and partners and others, for their support so far.

“I will want to commend the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for keeping to his promise. He has provided world class facilities, and has set mercenaries in motion for the delivery of an excellent Games.

“In the last 20 years, this is the festival that athletes will get to their hostels and get thier foods. With joy and pride, things are going on with hostel and feeding. I just returned from Sagamu and Babcock, and I can confirm that the standard is very high. We accreedited 9, 040 athletes but we are feeling 11,000 athletes now.

He also praised the standard being displayed by the athletes.

On the business angle, Olopade said that over 300 small scale businesses are operating inside various venues, and are reaping the benefits.

“Our small scale businesses are benefiting. We have sold over 10 million adire cloths.We have more demand than supply. Hotels are making businesses, and those are the benefits of hosting the festival for the state.