Sports
10 Days Left: One Stadium, One Continent: Abeokuta Set to Host African U18/U20 Tourney
Joel Ajayi
10 days left, and all eyes are on Abeokuta, Ogun State, as the city braces to host the continent’s most promising young athletes at the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships.
From July 16 to 20, the historic MKO Abiola Stadium will serve as the single venue for all events — a unified arena where talent, ambition, and national pride will collide in a celebration of African excellence.
This edition is already breaking records before the first race begins. Thus far, a total of 43 countries have confirmed participation, with 937 athletes and officials set to compete.
The figure marks one of the highest turnout in the competition’s history and reflects the growing significance of youth athletics as a cornerstone for long-term sports development across the continent.
In preparation for the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, the MKO Abiola Stadium had undergone significant renovations, including track resurfacing, improved facilities for athletes and media, and infrastructure upgrades to meet global standards.
The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) endorsed the venue following thorough inspections, applauding the commitment shown by State and national authoritie.
In line with the vision of the National Sports Commission (NSC) sponsors and partner have remained key in the planning of the Championship. They include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BOI), and LEDCO Limited.
The NSC is reinforcing its belief that sport is a powerful tool for youth engagement, national branding, and socioeconomic development.
Final preparations are underway, with hotels across Abeokuta filling up and local volunteers, security teams, and medical personnel on standby to support smooth operations throughout the event. Organizers have assured the public and participating nations that Abeokuta is fully ready to deliver a successful, secure, and inspiring championship.
With the countdown nearing single digits, excitement is building across the continent. One stadium, one city, and one shared dream — the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships promise to be a landmark event in the future of African sport.
Sports
LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Salifu Usman Receives SWAN Fellowship In Recognition Of Sports Development Efforts
Salifu Abubakar Usman, Group Sports Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, has been honoured with the Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) award, in recognition of his exceptional support for the association, professional journalism, and his significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
The esteemed accolade was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, held in Abuja, marking 60 years of excellence in sports journalism across the nation.
Upon receiving the award, Salifu expressed profound gratitude, describing the honour as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to further his lifelong dedication to sports reporting, promotion, and growth.
“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration for me and my family, and I believe it will encourage me further in sports reporting and sports development in Nigeria,” he stated.
Salifu highlighted that this recognition serves as a morale boost following decades of hard work and impactful contributions within Nigeria’s sports community and beyond.
The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration attracted prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to celebrate individuals and organisations whose efforts have significantly advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.
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