By Peter Omopo
Former Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, and Guinness World Record-holding chess master, Tunde Onakoya, have commended the sports infrastructure put in place for the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State, while urging the state to prioritise sustainability through regular maintenance.
The duo, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, praised the state government for its commitment to hosting the national sporting event but warned that failure to maintain the newly upgraded facilities could render the investments short-lived.
Odegbami, recently appointed Ogun State Sports Ambassador by Governor Dapo Abiodun, noted that while the festival is a valuable platform for talent discovery and development, it should also serve as a catalyst for long-term sports infrastructure planning.
“The festival is a great initiative. It’s not every state that has the capacity to host it. Ogun last hosted in 2006, and we had world-class facilities then. If we had maintained them properly, there wouldn’t have been a need for massive spending on renovations now,” Odegbami said.
He applauded Governor Abiodun for recognising the value of sports in promoting not just youth development, but also infrastructural growth and cultural integration.
On his part, Onakoya echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of sustaining the gains made through the NSF by preserving the quality of facilities.
Both sports icons emphasised the festival’s role in identifying and nurturing young talents, with Odegbami highlighting the importance of early investment in youth athletes.
“Catch them young and start developing them for the future. That’s what this festival is truly about,” Odegbami concluded.
The 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival is being hosted across various locations in Ogun State, drawing thousands of athletes and spectators from across the country.
