Sports
Asaba Ignites as 9th National Youth Games Showcase Nigeria’s Brightest Talents
Joel Ajayi
Asaba, Delta State, is alive with youthful energy, sporting excellence, and national pride as the 9th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) got underway last week, bringing together the brightest young talents from across Nigeria.
Sharing his experience after attending a tennis event at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Indoor Sports Hall, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, lauded the spirit and discipline of the young athletes.
“It gave me so much joy to see their energy, discipline, and passion for the game. These young talents are the future of Nigerian sports, and it is our responsibility to create the right structures and opportunities for them to thrive.”
The DG further underscored the broader vision driving the Games:
“The future is bright, and Nigerian sports will continue to rise. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are determined to create pathways that not only discover talent but also nurture them to compete and succeed on the global stage.”
Hon. Olopade added that “watching them reminded me why we continue at the National Sport Commission NSC to push for innovation, development, and investment in grassroots sports. This is where champions are made.”
The Games, running from August 26 to September 6, 2025, features 37 sports and have drawn athletes from 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Delta State, hosts and defending champions as well as Lagos, Edo, Oyo and Bayelsa States are leading the charge for who clinches this year’s crown.
The NSC invites Nigerians everywhere to rally behind the youth, celebrate their achievements, and witness the emergence of tomorrow’s sporting legends.
Sports
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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