Abeokuta's MKO Abiola Stadium buzzed with excitement as the 22nd National Sports Festival, known as the Gateway Games, officially opened with a colorful ceremony on Sunday.
The event was graced by prominent figures, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The ceremony also saw the attendance of several state governors, such as Anambra's Prof. Charles Soludo, Imo's Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Osun's Ademola Adeleke, and Kogi's Usman Ododo.
Ekiti State's Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole, and past Ogun State governors Olusegun Osoba and Sen. Gbenga Daniel were present.
Other notable attendees included Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and various members of the National Assembly from both state and national levels, reflecting the event's significance.
The opening ceremony featured dazzling performances that captivated the audience. Nigerian music star Davido delivered a high-octane performance, setting the stadium alight with his popular hits.
His energetic stage presence and crowd engagement made it a memorable highlight of the evening.
The ceremony also included cultural displays that showcased Nigeria's rich heritage, with traditional dancers and drummers adding to the vibrancy of the event.
The festival, running from May 16 to May 30, will feature athletes competing in 23 sports events.
In the previous edition held in Asaba, Team Delta emerged victorious with 320 gold medals, followed by Team Bayelsa and Team Edo in second and third place, respectively.
