National Sports Festival Ends with 22 Kano Athletes Dead in Kaduna-Kano Road Crash

The 22nd National Sports Festival, known as Gateway Games 2024, held in Ogun State, showcased Nigeria's sporting talent and unity with over 10,000 athletes competing in 38 sports. Team Delta emerged as the overall winner for the fifth consecutive time, followed by Ogun State and Bayelsa, highlighting strong competition and sports development across the country. The festival featured memorable opening and closing ceremonies with performances by prominent artists and speeches from political leaders including President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. However, the event was overshadowed by a tragic road accident that claimed the lives of 22 athletes from Kano State, raising critical concerns about athlete welfare and transportation safety in Nigeria. Despite the sadness, the National Sports Festival remains a vital platform for fostering national cohesion, discovering talent, and celebrating Nigerian sports culture, with the next festival scheduled for Enugu State. The event's legacy is a mix of celebration and mourning, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures alongside sporting excellence.