Sports

Lagos Begins “Catch-Them-Young” Multi-Sports Trials Ahead of 2025 National Youth Games

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2025

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has officially launched its “Catch-Them-Young” multi-sports trials, a major step in its preparations for the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta State.

The grassroots talent discovery programme is designed to identify, nurture, and develop young athletes who will not only represent Lagos at the NYG but also form a pipeline of future champions for national and international competitions.

The ongoing trials, which began a few weeks ago across various sporting facilities in the state, span multiple disciplines including athletics (track and field), swimming, gymnastics, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, chess, ayo, and others. The programme is open to children aged 9 to 14 from across Lagos State.

Speaking at the venue of the athletics trials, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, highlighted the strategic importance of early talent identification in building a sustainable sports development structure.

“The ‘Catch-Them-Young’ programme represents our commitment to discovering and nurturing raw talent from the grassroots level,” Mr. Fatodu said. “We believe that every child in Lagos has the potential to become a world champion. Through this structured trial system, we are creating pathways for young athletes to turn their dreams into reality.”

He added that the initiative is not only aimed at building a strong Lagos team for the 2025 NYG but also at establishing a legacy programme that will continually feed into the state’s long-term sports development goals.

Mr. Fatodu also revealed that the Commission is exploring partnerships with international sports development organisations to provide further training and exposure for standout talents identified during the trials.

The LSSC is also placing strong emphasis on age verification and compliance with eligibility requirements, while focusing on areas where Lagos has historically excelled, and simultaneously exploring emerging potentials across all sports.

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Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

6 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

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