The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, says the financial gains of the 22nd National Sports Festival cannot be overemphasised
He revealed that thousands of pieces of adire fabrics had been sold since the beginning of the festival, adding that vendors had run out of stock.
He said that the festival was steadily improving the financial prosperity of vendors and residents of the state.
Olopade added that over 300 vendors were operating in each of the venues.
“How do I begin to aggregate in dollars the value of that opening ceremony that was seen in more than 50 countries?
“Let’s talk about the naira and kobo; over 300 small-scale businesses are operating inside the stadium.
“We have sold thousands of pieces of adire; we have more demands than supply. Hotels are making business
“These are the benefits of hosting a sports festival; it opens more doors for business opportunities,” he said.
Olopade commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State for raising the bar in terms of infrastructure development and athletes’ welfare.
He said no fewer than 9,040 athletes were accredited, whose feeding and welfare are being handled effectively.
“We need to be scored very high. In the last 20 years, this is the festival that athletes will get to their hostels and get their foods and other things they need.
“With joy and pride, everything is going on at Babcock, where the athletes are housed, I can categorically say that the standard is very high,” Olopade said.
He urged journalists and people of the state to visit some of the venues to watch the games.
The festival, which began on May 16, will end on May 30.
