The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged ‘Gateway Games 2024‘, concluded on Thursday in Ogun State with moments of athletic brilliance and celebration. However, behind the vibrant closing ceremony and competitive highlights, the event was clouded by allegations of medal padding and protests by athletes, casting serious doubts on the integrity of Nigeria’s flagship multi-sport event.
According to Tilewa Adebajo, chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the Gateway Games 2024 cost over N25 billion to host, funded by the Ogun State Government in collaboration with the private sector.
“Hosting the 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024 has cost over N25 billion, with contributions from both the Ogun State Government and private sponsors,” Adebajo told BusinessDay.
On Wednesday morning, the atmosphere at Babcock University, the official Games Village in Ilishan-Remo, turned tense as Team Ogun athletes staged a protest demanding immediate payment of their outstanding allowances.
The protestors blocked the main entrance, effectively grounding movement in and out of the village. Athletes from other states were left stranded, unable to reach their competition venues. Some described the experience as being placed under ‘hostel arrest.’
The disruption impacted several scheduled events at key locations, including the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Kuto and the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, causing delays and rescheduling.
As the Games neared conclusion, a new controversy emerged over the final medal standings.
Read also: NSF: Coal City Games 2026 will surpass Gateway Games— Commissioner
Initially, Delta State had been confirmed as the overall winner, with Bayelsa in second place and Ogun trailing in third. Delta had amassed 109 gold, 75 silver, and 87 bronze medals by the morning of May 29, a commanding lead ahead of Bayelsa (80 gold), Ogun (69 gold), Rivers (65 gold), and Edo (55 gold).
However, in a dramatic overnight twist, the final medal table released after the closing ceremony showed Ogun State suddenly jumping to second place, with 93 gold, 65 silver, and 80 bronze medals, displacing Bayelsa, now third on the log with 92 gold, 65 silver, 71 bronze medals, with Delta State credited with 126 gold, 100 silver, 111 bronze medals.
This last-minute leap occurred despite the fact that major events such as kickboxing concluded at 11:01 p.m. and para-table tennis ended around 1 am on Friday.
The development raised serious concerns about the transparency of the results, with accusations of medal padding levelled at the host state.
Daniel Igali, Bayelsa State commissioner for sports, responded with a cryptic but telling message on social media, which resonated across the sports community:
“When twilight falls on the field of fair play, And shadows dance where honour should stay. The scent of high achievement turns bitter and cold.”
The poem has been widely interpreted as a critique of Ogun State’s suspicious medal gains, and it has reignited conversations around the need for a transparent and accountable medal tally system.
The controversies at the Gateway Games 2024 have once again exposed systemic flaws in the National Sports Festival, ranging from poor athlete welfare and protest mismanagement to questionable medal recording practices.
The sports festival, which was voted the best National Sports Festival, has been clouded by protests and medal disputes, despite the fact that it celebrated the incredible talents of Nigerian athletes and increased business activity in the state.
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