Ogun Revives GATIG, As Games Kick Off Today

 

ABEOKUTA - As part of efforts to reposition the state on sports world map, the Ogun state government has resuscitated the Gateway Tertiary Institution Games (GATIG) for students of higher institutions in the state. 

The State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dr. Oludare Kehinde while addressing journalists on Tuesday said government is resolute at returning the state to its glorious sports heritage. 

Dr. Kehinde said, the games which has gone moribund 12years ago, was designed to ensure tertiary school students develop the right mental, rational, emotional, physical and psychological strength to build a great and eventful life. 

He maintained that, the state government in line with the ISEYA mantra of Governor Dapo Abiodun administration would used the games to discover raw talents among students of tertiary institutions in the state. 

According to the Commissioner, the Games will hold between Wednesday, 6th and 9th October, 2021 among six tertiary institutions. 

"You will recall that the 3rd edition of this game was held in 2009 which was precisely 12 years ago. I am therefore extremely happy that we are gathering here tonight to flag off activities for the 4th edition holding between Tuesday 5th & Saturday 9th October, 2021. 

"This is a testimony that the present administration under His Excellency, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun MFR is resoute at returning our dear State to his glorious sports heritage.  The whole idea of Sports is not just to engage in physical activities or fight for a common goal. A well-defined sports event like GATIG competition has been designed as a way to ensure that our tertiary school students develop the right mental, rational, emotional, physical, and psychological strength to build a great and eventful life. 

"Sports requires memorization, repetition and learning which are set of skill that are directly relevant to tertiary education. Physical vigour and mental acuity are basic rudiments of success. We hope to use this Gateway Tertiary institution Games to discover raw talents amongst the students of our tertiary institutions in Ogun State and assist them in horning their skills for national and global prominence. 

"I am always proud to re-emphasize that Youth engagement and empowerment is one of the serious business of the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun MFR. The ISEYA Agenda encapsulates series of sporting events and activities in ensuring that Ogun State takes the lead in sporting and innovative events in Nigeria. 

"You will also recall that in the past few weeks, we have flagged off Games like, Mind Sports Games Festival which we have taken across some Local Government Areas in the State. The 2021 South West Games (SOWEGA) is presently ongoing, and in few weeks’ time, we will start the Ogun Transporters’ Game; which is first of its kind in Nigeria and indeed Africa while our Sporting Calendar continues with the National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State later in the month."

Also speaking, the Chairman, Main Organizing Committee, Prince Tunji Onatolu said majority of the schools cannot participate in the 4th edition due to the academic calendar, as some of the schools are currently writing their examinations. 

Onatolu however said the six schools will feature in the 17 Games which include; Football, Abula, Athletic, handball, swimming, taekwando, tennis, chess, table tennis, judo, scrabble, boxing and volleyball.