Kwara State has formally announced its bid to host the next edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF), reinforcing its proposal with extensive upgrades to its sports facilities.
The declaration was made by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Mogaji, on Friday, March 28, 2025, during the official presentation of the Torch of Unity ahead of the upcoming NSF in Ogun State.
Mogaji confidently stated that Kwara possesses all the necessary infrastructure to successfully host the prestigious event. “We have all the facilities needed to host the tournament, and I can say that Kwara will be bidding to host the next edition of the sports festival,” he affirmed.
Significant renovations at the George Agbazika Innih Stadium in Ilorin have strengthened Kwara’s bid, positioning the state as a formidable contender. The upgrades include a modernized indoor sports hall, newly constructed squash courts—touted as the first of their kind in Africa—and an internationally recognized table tennis arena.
Emphasizing the state’s preparedness, Mogaji argued that Kwara’s sports complex offers a logistical advantage over the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. “I dare say that our facility is better than that of the Moshood Abiola Stadium because it is the only stadium where you can host a major competition without leaving the premises. In Abuja, you must leave the main stadium for Package B at some point,” he noted.
During the event, the Torch of Unity was presented to Kwara State Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, at the Ahmadu Bello House, Government House, Ilorin. Representing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Alabi underscored the role of sports in promoting national unity.
“Its unifying force is second to none, and as a state government, we are keen on supporting it,” Alabi remarked.
The Torch of Unity, a symbolic flame that travels across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), represents peace, unity, and sportsmanship. It is traditionally ignited by the Nigerian President or the Minister of Sports before making its way to the host state, where it signals the start of the festival.
With its state-of-the-art sporting infrastructure and a strong commitment to national unity, Kwara State’s bid to host the next National Sports Festival is expected to garner significant attention across the country.
