National Council on Sports approves calendar, 32 sports for NSF
In a major step towards improving Nigeria’s sports administration and athlete performance, the National Council on Sports has approved two key memoranda presented by the National Sports Commission (NSC). These include adopting a fixed schedule for the National Sports Festival (NSF) and reaffirming the rules limiting the number of sports featured at the event. The […]
In a major step towards improving Nigeria’s sports administration and athlete performance, the National Council on Sports has approved two key memoranda presented by the National Sports Commission (NSC). These include adopting a fixed schedule for the National Sports Festival (NSF) and reaffirming the rules limiting the number of sports featured at the event.
The approvals were granted during an Extraordinary National Council of Sports meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to a communiqué signed by NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Council agreed that the NSF will henceforth take place between November and December of every Festival year. This change aligns with international best practices, ensuring a more stable and predictable national sports calendar.
A consistent schedule is expected to enhance the organisation of the Games, improve athlete and state engagement, optimise logistics and funding, and attract better sponsorship and marketing opportunities.
The Council also reaffirmed Rule 11 (i), (ii), and (iii) of the 2024 National Sports Festival General Rules and Regulations, initially established during an earlier meeting in Benin City on March 14, 2019:
– Rule 11(i): A maximum of 32 sports will be featured at each edition of the NSF, comprising 27 compulsory and 5 optional sports.
– Rule 11(ii): The compulsory sports were selected based on their popularity across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, frequency of participation in past festivals, and Nigeria’s international performance in those disciplines.
– Rule 11(iii): Host states may select up to five sports from a list of 25 optional sports to complete the 32-event program.
These regulations aim to standardise the Festival’s format and reduce irregular changes that can affect planning and execution.
The Council praised the Federal Government for its continued commitment to sports development, particularly through the establishment of the NSC. It also commended the Ogun State Government for its readiness to host the 22nd National Sports Festival.
The upcoming edition, tagged Gateway Games, is scheduled to take place from May 18 to 30, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.