The stage is set, and the anticipation is building as the organizers of the 22nd National Sports Festival, aptly named the Gateway Games 2024, have confirmed that Nigerian music superstars Davido and Asa will be the headlining performers at the festival’s opening ceremony.
Scheduled for Sunday at 5:00 p.m., the much-awaited ceremony will take place at the iconic MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where thousands of athletes, officials, and spectators will gather to witness the grand kickoff of this year’s sporting event.
Months of preparation and planning have gone into ensuring that the 2024 Gateway Games stand out as one of the best-organized sports festivals in Nigeria’s history.
From cultural displays to world-class stage setups, the festival promises a spectacle that captures the essence of Nigeria’s rich heritage and sporting excellence.
The organizers have promised a seamless blend of sports, music, and culture, setting the stage for a memorable experience.
Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the National Sports Commission and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee of the Games, has expressed his confidence in delivering an exceptional event.
“This is our own Olympics, and from start to finish, the festival must portray that global feel, both in competition and organization,” Olopade declared.
He further emphasized the commitment of the National Sports Commission and the Ogun State Government in putting together a world-class event that would leave a lasting impression.
Olopade also reflected on his journey of ensuring Ogun State delivers the best festival yet, dismissing the doubts of skeptics who never believed his promise.
“I have spent the last two years saying Ogun state will host the best Festival, but doubters never believed,” he stated.
“Beyond the aesthetic you are seeing here today, which confirms to everyone what I have been saying, from the opening ceremony to the Games proper, you will be seeing the best.”
Highlighting the meticulous planning, Olopade noted that this edition would be the first time in the festival’s history that the initial two days would be free of issues related to accommodation and feeding.
“This is the first NSF ever that the first two days will be rancor-free from hostel and feeding. So I am very excited about everything and what is even coming up later today in the Opening Ceremony,” he shared with enthusiasm.
As for the musical performances, Olopade kept some surprises under wraps, but he did reveal a thrilling detail.
“I might not reveal all, but I can tell you that Davido will be closing it up and Asa will be starting it. However, I will not disclose what will be in-between. Nigerians should just stay glued to their television because they are about to witness an opening ceremony like never before,” he concluded, leaving fans eager for the event.
