By Femi Atolagbe

The Ondo State contingent has resumed closed-camping ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games.

Team Ondo will compete in 19 events with about 162 athletes at the National Festival, scheduled to kick off on 16-05-2025 in Ogun State.

The General Manager of the State Sports Council, Mr Sunday Fagite, in a chat with Sporting Hope, disclosed that athletes have resumed closed-camping since Saturday.

Fagite added that their preparation for the national fiesta is top-notch, saying the Ondo State contingent will build on their impressive outing at the just-concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Akwa Ibom State.

Ondo State was among the nine states that participated in the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival, where they finished fifth with a total of 43 medals.

“Going into the biggest sporting event in Nigeria after such a performance,” Fagite said, “Team Ondo will be motivated to outdo their performance in Uyo.”

“By the grace of God, the target is to do better than we have done in previous editions.

“Also, we just took part in the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival, and that will serve as perfect preparation for the National Sports Festival,” Fagite said.

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival was equally a big event, and our athletes will be able to bank on their experiences from there.

“Our coaches and athletes are on the field, preparing aggressively for the games.

“With the support of my management, I have no doubt in my mind that we will end the national event on a good note, because we are endowed with raw talent in Ondo and have capable coaches.”

Ondo State finished 13th at the last edition of the games, which was rocked by medal-padding.