Awka: The Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) says 17 states have indicated readiness to host the 2025 Olympic Day celebration nationwide.
Tony Nezianya, the Public Relations Officer of NOC, disclosed this in a Statement on Wednesday.
Nezianya said Abu Gumel, President of NOC, would kick off the event at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on June 28.
He listed the states as Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Taraba, Enugu, Delta, Kwara, FCT, Anambra, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Kogi, Gombe, Osun, Imo, and Lagos State, which currently houses the NOC Secretariat.
He said the day would feature a variety of demonstration sports and activities depending on individual and group interests.
“These activities will include jogging and walking to promote calorie burning, muscle toning, overall health, and stress reduction.
“In the past, Olympic Day celebrations featured a 10-kilometre and a 5-kilometre race, which some considered restrictive.
“However, following popular requests from advocates of the Olympic Movement, the celebration has now been expanded to include a wider range of sports to appeal to a broader participation.
“The event has evolved into a mass movement aimed at promoting fitness for all, according to Austin Odigie, the coordinating officer for Sport for All Commission,” he said.
Nezianya said Abdul Ibrahim, Chairman of the NOC Sport for All Commission and President of the Weightlifting Federation of Nigeria, has called on the governments of the 17 listed states to participate actively in the programme.
According to him, those unable to participate this year should use this annual event to mobilise the populace and encourage sports engagement for better fitness.
