The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade, has reiterated the state’s unwavering commitment to delivering a memorable hosting of the ongoing sports festival. He also charged members of the press to ensure fair and accurate reportage by utilizing the Commission’s official Medal App for medal table updates.
Speaking with journalists yesterday, Olopade emphasized that the state’s readiness was never in doubt, even before bidding for the biennial event. He expressed confidence in the quality of the stadium’s infrastructure, describing it as fit for international standards.
“When we first submitted our bid, I was confident we would win because our stadium had always been ready in terms of facilities. The decision to bid was made in the best interest of millions of people in the state,” he stated.
He commended the media for the extensive publicity given to the opening ceremony of the games, while advising them to rely only on official sources for medal updates. “Please refrain from copying medal tables from fellow journalists. Use the Medal App, which updates in real time. For the first time, medal tables are not appearing from events that haven’t taken place. Wait for the official figures before publication,” he urged.
The DG, a seasoned sports administrator with decades of involvement in national festivals, noted that this edition has been remarkably peaceful. “For the first time in over twenty years, we have witnessed minimal incidents — just a minor casualty and a few challenges that were swiftly addressed,” he said.
He praised the state for raising the bar in terms of infrastructure, aesthetics, organization, and athlete welfare. Olopade also lauded the athletes for the resilience, skill, and talent displayed in various events, noting that the quality of competition has been outstanding.
Responding to concerns about road conditions, Olopade advised journalists to consider alternative routes to avoid delays, acknowledging that some roads were hastily completed to meet the festival’s deadline.
Signed
Dr. (Mrs.) Kehinde Ajayi, FCAI, ANIPR
Director (Information and PR)
May 21st 2025
