From Monday 19 February to Saturday 24 February, Nigerian doctors will converge on Lagos to participate in the 7th edition of the biennial multi sports championship tagged the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Games 2024.
Already, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) working with the National Sports Committee of the NMA have been working round the clock to ensure that participants who are coming from all states of the country have a successful competition and enjoy their stay in Lagos.
The Lagos NMA chairman, who doubles as the chairman of Eko 2024 Games LOC, Dr Oluwatosin Benjamin Olowojebutu told a media conference held at the association’s secretariat at Bode Thomas in Surulere on Friday that “we are delighted to host this celebration of athleticism, sportsmanship and wellness among Nigeria’s finest physicians and medical professionals. Our expectation is that this sports fiesta will afford our doctors the opportunity to compete fairly, make new connections, unwind and create memories that will last a lifetime,” Dr Olowojebutu said.
He disclosed that the Lagos event will feature over 1,000 doctors taking part in events which include football, basketball, volleyball, golf, athletics, chess, scrabble, ayo, table tennis, tennis, badminton and draughts in different venues with the University of Lagos where the opening ceremony will take place being the major center and Ikeja Golf Club.
The opening ceremony will hold on Wednesday where the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate will be special guests of honour.
Olowojebutu said that in addition to the competitive events, the Games will also feature musical and cultural showcases, networking opportunities, talk shops and special ceremonies to honour all outstanding athletes and participants.
“We had a pre-games event at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja on Thursday where we discussed on topic scientific sports science in advancing the cause of health and fitness. The sessions were lively, robust and all participants agreed that it was indeed an integral conversation that needed to be had.”
Also speaking, Dr Israel Jeremiah, Chairman National Sports Committee and the NMA Publicity Secretary, noted that other professionals in th medical field have been invited to be part of the weeklong fiesta, adding that all hands are on deck for the success of the Games.
Dr. Jeremiah recalled the long journey of the first edition of the Games which was held in Eket in Akwa Ibom State, after which the train moved to Ado Ekiti (Ekiti State), Jalingo (Taraba State), Abeokuta (Ogun State), Port Harcourt (Rivers State), FCT Abuja where the 6th edition was held.
Dr Jeremiah who is being referred to as the Games Master said doctors have always informed their patients to keep exercising their bodies, “I think we should begin to practice what we have been telling people,” he said.
Other attendees at Friday’s media conference included Dr Kefas Zawaya, vice chairman, National Sports Committee, Dr. Peter Ekwueme, secretary of National Sports Committee and National Games Organizing Committee, Dr Anthony Godfrey, Assistant Secretary, National Sports Committee and Coach NMA National Team, Dr Salau Tajudeen, immediate past chairman, Lagos NMA and Dr Kolawole Aramide 2nd Vice chairman, Lagos NMA.
