Sports
Tinubu Flags Off 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Vows Greater Investment in Sports Development
Joel Ajayi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on Friday officially declared open the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to sports as a catalyst for national unity, youth empowerment, and global competitiveness.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, the President emphasized that sports remain a vital force in building cohesion among Nigeria’s diverse peoples while offering young talents a pathway to international excellence.
“From these young athletes, future national and international stars will emerge. Our government remains committed to nurturing them with the right structures, facilities, and policies to ensure they grow into world-class ambassadors for Nigeria. Sports is not just recreation; it is a unifying force and a driver of national pride,” President Tinubu said.
He further pledged to strengthen grassroots sports programmes across the country, assuring that his government would continue to provide support through the National Sports Commission and other agencies.
“This administration will not relent in its quest to invest in our youth. With discipline, hard work, and the right environment, you our young athletes will carry the green-white-green to podiums around the world,” the President added.
Welcoming participants, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, praised the Games for uniting the nation through healthy competition. He assured athletes, coaches, and officials of Delta’s readiness to host a befitting championship, urging them to uphold fairness and integrity in all events.
“The National Youth Games have over the years produced stars who now represent Nigeria internationally. We are proud to host once again, and Delta is prepared to give athletes a safe, competitive, and memorable experience,” Governor Oborevwori said.
In his remarks, the Director-General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, underscored the significance of the Games in shaping the nation’s sporting future. According to him, the Youth Games remain the foundation for discovering podium athletes who later dominate at continental and global competitions.
“This is where the journey of greatness begins. Compete with heart, uphold fair play, and remember that you carry the hope of your states and the pride of the nation,” Olopade charged.
He added that the Commission under his leadership would intensify efforts to harness talents discovered at the Games through structured training programmes and international exposure.
“Our mission is to ensure that no raw talent is left behind. With sustained investment in youth sports, Nigeria will reclaim its pride of place in global competitions,” he declared.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Hon. Onoriode Oborevwori, assured participants not just a sporting event but a memorable experience.
He urged athletes to compete with discipline, determination and showcase the spirit of sportsmanship.
The ceremony also featured the traditional oath-taking, with Obiagu Faith leading athletes in pledging allegiance to the rules of the Games, while Comrade Obioha George, Director of Sports, Abia State, swore on behalf of coaches and officials.
The Games, featuring 37 sporting events, have drawn contingents from 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Host state Delta, defending champion of all eight editions since inception, now chases a ninth title as Asaba sets the stage for ten days of thrilling competition, talent discovery, and celebration of Nigeria’s unity through sports.”
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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