The Niger State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has submitted the state’s bid to host the 2028 National Sports Festival to Governor Umaru Bago.
The state is set to battle it out with the likes of Kano, Bayelsa, Kaduna for the rights to host the 24th edition of the Games.
The Commissioner for Sports, Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin Boka, led the presentation alongside the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Nuhu Garba Ngaski, during the executive council meeting held at the Council Chamber, Government House, Minna.
Bago also received samples of tracksuits designed for the state’s athletes as part of preparations for the festival, which is scheduled to begin on December 28, 2028.
The National Sports Festival is a biennial event that draws athletes from all 36 states and the FCT to compete in various disciplines.
The 22nd edition of the NSF was hosted by Ogun State. The 23rd edition will be held in Enugu in 2026.
Among the three states bidding to host the 24th edition in 2028, only Kaduna has hosted the Games before. After the first two editions were held in Lagos in 1973 and 1975, Kaduna hosted the third edition, Kaduna ‘77’ as well as in 2009.
Kaduna and Bauchi states are among the four northern states that have hosted the National Sports Festival. The others are Kwara and Benue states.
Niger State finished 17th at the 2024 National Sports Festival with one gold, three silver, and two bronze for a total of six medals.
