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Maiden Edition of YSM Games launched in Abuja

Published

6 years ago

July 15, 2019

…20 Schools to participate

Joel Ajayi

Fortune is indeed coming to the way of Nigerians youth through sports as the Youth Sports Movement YSM, a unit of the African Centre for Youth Sports and Development set to hold the maiden edition of the School Games for the youth to help them to have a brighter future.

The one-week sporting events slated for 3rd of August to 19th of August 2019 inside Moshood National Stadium Abuja will also connect, and raise a new breed of young, purposeful, who will make country proud.

At the official media launch of YSM Abuja school games which promise to be the biggest inter-schools sports festival in Nigeria, executive director of YSM Olayinka Sulieman said the objective of the initiatives was to connect with the youths at their level via sports.

“Our mission is to make youth sports the foundation for the development of Nigeria through sports. We want to use this event to raise the value of youth sports.

“We are looking at the future where there will be more participation of youth in sports government, parent, and international organization.

“YSM is ready to ensure everyone participated in sports, this game should not be for a particular group of people. It’s something that everyone should be proud of.”

Speaking further, she said that the organization have put in place different strategies to ensure youth in the country succeed.

While highlighting some of the programmes Mrs Sulieman said: “we have a different programme for the young ones such as school games, power all girl campaigns initiative where the girl will have equal right in participating in sports as well as advocacy for abuse of children in sports.

“We are starting with 20 schools who had registered to participate in different sports track and field Athletic, Volleyball, Tennis, 5aside, Football Badminton among others and not all schools will do all the sports some will participate in rubout programme during the one-week event.”

Speaking also was the President of International Engr. Promise Nwadigos vowed to give the needed support to the initiative to ensure the programme achieve the aim and objectives.

In his remarks, the President of Sports Writer Association of Nigeria SWAN Honour Sirawo commended the organizer and urged them to not abandon the project halfway while he promised that the Sports Journalist will do everything possible to ensure the event enjoy better coverage.

Organizer, however, said that the like of ex-internationals Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Babayaro and others will be on the ground to nurture the children throughout the event.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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