Kwara State’s contingent is set to depart Ilorin this Friday as the state prepares to participate in the upcoming Gateway Games 2024 in Ogun State.
The event, billed as a major national sports festival, will see Kwara field a diverse team competing across multiple disciplines.
During a media briefing at the George Agbazika Innih Stadium, Coach Bola Mogaji, Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission (KWSC) and a renowned squash legend, expressed both pride and resolve as the team prepares for the two-week competition.
Despite acknowledging that the scattered venues across Ogun State may pose logistical challenges, Mogaji reassured stakeholders that Kwara’s athletes and officials are ready to face the hurdles.
“While the spread-out venues will create some logistical hurdles, we believe our team is well-prepared to handle them.
“These challenges will also serve as valuable lessons for future organizers,” Mogaji stated confidently.
He revealed that Kwara’s delegation will feature 189 athletes competing in 25 sports, including football, swimming, chess, darts, athletics, badminton, tennis, volleyball, Wushu Kungfu, Taekwondo, squash, wrestling, boxing, judo, cricket, and more.
The team’s preparation has received full backing from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has approved comprehensive funding and logistical support aimed at securing podium finishes.
Mogaji emphasized the importance of sportsmanship, urging athletes to shun any win-at-all-cost mentality that could potentially lead to unethical behaviors such as doping.
“Our focus remains on competitive excellence and integrity,” he affirmed.
Team captain Blessing Isaac expressed confidence in her teammates’ readiness to uphold the rules while aiming for victory.
“We are fully prepared, motivated, and committed to giving our best for Kwara,” she said.
Kwara has earned a reputation as a sporting powerhouse in Nigeria, largely due to its strategic investments in sports infrastructure and youth development programs.
The state’s consistent performance in national competitions underscores its status as a serious contender in the Gateway Games.
As the team gets ready to showcase its diverse sporting talents, Kwara’s government and sports authorities remain optimistic that their athletes will bring home multiple medals, further cementing the state’s place at the forefront of Nigerian sports excellence.
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