Julius Okorie
Former two-time heavy weight boxer Anthony Joshua has been handed 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) assignment.
AJ who is currently savouring the fun of the yuletide in his ancestral home Shagamu in Ogun State, will be the torch bearer for the festival which takes place from May 12th to 25th, 2025.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe assignment was announced when Joshua paid courtesy call on Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Governor Abiodun had earlier expressed delight with Joshua’s involvement, stating, “We are thrilled to officially welcome you as our sports ambassador and request that you return to ignite the torch for the Gateway Sports Festival.”
The Governor also unveiled plans for the construction of a new indoor boxing ring named after Anthony Joshua, which will be located in a stadium in Abeokuta. He emphasised the importance of this facility, saying, “This new boxing ring will encourage you to visit home more frequently and foster a vibrant sports culture in our state.”
In addition to these initiatives, the Governor offered Joshua a new residence in Sagamu, aiming to strengthen their partnership in sports development.
READ ALSO: How Homeboy Anthony Joshua Stormed Shagamu For Christmas
He encouraged Joshua to collaborate with the Director General of the National Sports Commission and the state Commissioner for Sports Development to organise a boxing championship in Ogun State.
“Your return home will serve as an inspiration to many aspiring young athletes in Ogun State, and we have a wealth of talent here,” he remarked.
In response, Joshua expressed his eagerness to promote Ogun State on the world stage, highlighting the abundance of talent that the state has to offer.
Plans, Primebusiness.africa understands are in top gear to open the Games Village for the Festival on January 12.
The Opening Ceremony for the festival, tagged Gateway Games will hold at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on 15th January 2025 which incidentally coincides with Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), used to honour veterans of the World War I and II as well as the Nigerian Civil War.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
