Olympic Day celebrations hold June 29, says NOC scribe

On Sunday, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) announced that the nation's annual Olympic Day celebration will take place on June 29.

Olympic Day is a worldwide celebration honouring Pierre de Coubertin's 1894 founding of the current Olympic Movement.

The NOC Secretary-General, Babatunde Popoola, told NAN that this year's celebration is particularly important because it comes before the eagerly awaited Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Here, Nigerian athletes will compete and, with their accomplishments, inspire the globe.

Olympic Day offers individuals of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to take in the wonder of the Olympic Games locally.

It's the perfect venue for promoting the health advantages of exercise and the Olympic ideals of excellence, friendship, and respect,” Popoola said.
Popoola said that NOC had received positive responses from various states and stakeholders, and preparations were well underway for the nationwide celebration.
He continued by saying that the Federal Capital Territory, together with no fewer than 21 states, have announced their intentions to plan events for the occasion.

Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Kogi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kano, Kwara, Taraba, Imo, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Nasarawa, and Osun are the states in question.

Speaking at the event, Abdul Ibrahim, the Chairman of the NOC Sport For All Commission, stated that Olympic Day was a unique occasion to unite, promote unity, and educate people about the Olympic ideals.

"Everyone is welcome to join in and feel the happiness that comes from sports," he declared.

He claims that a number of events are planned in Lagos, with fitness centres at the National Stadium Complex and the general public preparing to participate in the global event.

”The celebration will conclude with the presentation of diplomas signed by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach.
"The Nigeria Olympic Committee President, Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel, along with other distinguished guests, will formally inaugurate the occasion in Abuja," he continued.

According to Ibrahim, the NOC is also urging business and charitable people to contribute to the celebration with cash or goods, as this will give their organisations significant visibility.