The National Council on Sports has officially capped the number of sports at 32 for the 2024 National Sports Festival. This move aims to ensure consistency and strategic direction for Nigeria’s top multisport competition. The PUNCH reports.

The choice was made at an Emergency Meeting conducted on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, after a presentation from the National Sports Commission.

The NSC Director General, Bukola Olopode, signed a statement confirming that the 32 sports will include 27 mandatory events along with up to five discretionary ones, which can be selected by the hosting state.

The policy is grounded in Rule 11 of the 2024 National Sports Festival’s general rules and regulations, as affirmed by the Council at their recent gathering. This rule had been first approved during an earlier Extraordinary Council session conducted in Benin City back in 2019.

The mandatory sports were selected by the council according to their widespread appeal throughout Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Additionally, they considered past involvement in these events during earlier festivals along with the nation’s competitive standing internationally in each sport.

The 27 mandatory sports reflect Nigeria's key competitive and development goals, encompassing events such as athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, cycling, football, gymnastics, handball, hockey, and judo. Additional disciplines include karate, kickboxing, kung fu, para-athletics, para-powerlifting, para-table tennis, scrabble, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.

The hosting nation will be able to choose up to five events from a selection of 25 possible sports to round out the 32-discipline program.

The Council emphasized that this step would stabilize the framework of the festival and avoid unexpected alterations that might disrupt planning, logistical arrangements, and the progression of athletes' careers.

The 22nd iteration of the NSF, labeled Gateway Games, will take place in Abeokuta, within Ogun State, from May 18 to 30.

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