S’west region set to lead the way in sports development as Lagos hosts inaugural Southwest games in March

January 24, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

The six southwest states in Nigeria are gearing up to take the lead in sports development as Lagos prepares to host the inaugural Southwest Games in March.

The multi-sports event, tagged the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games 2025, will bring together the six states to compete in various sports, including football, athletics, basketball, boxing, table tennis, and traditional African games such as Ayo-Olopon and Abula.

According to the organisers, the Games will also include adaptive sports, ensuring that athletes with disabilities are given equal platform to showcase their skills.

This move is seen as a significant step towards promoting strong ties among the Yoruba people in sports development.

Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, underscored the commission’s commitment to ensuring the Games achieve its full potential.

“The South West Games 2025 and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games are not mere contests of athletic prowess; they are platforms for youth engagement, talent discovery, and community unity.

“The NSC recognises the immense potential of this initiative to elevate sports development and nation-building.”

Lagos State is confident in its ability to deliver a spectacle worthy of its name, with Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, expressing his optimism.

“Hosting the inaugural Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games is a reaffirmation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering commitment to sports development. Lagos has consistently championed the cause of athletic excellence, making it the perfect launchpad for this historic initiative.”

The Southwest Games are designed to be more than just an exhibition of athletic prowess—they will be a blueprint for youth engagement, grassroots talent development, and the cultivation of a robust sporting culture within the region.

As Funmilola Adedipe, the Managing Director of Practagali Partners, noted, “The Southwest Games will not only provide a podium for young athletes to shine but will also catalyse the creation of a sustainable ecosystem where sports serve as a gateway to economic empowerment, education, and career advancement.”

With the Southwest Games, the region is poised to take the lead in sports development, promoting a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and diversity.

As Victor Ganzallo, the spokesman for the Games, aptly put it, “Sports possess an unparalleled power to transform lives, and BAT-SWAG is designed to harness this power to inspire, uplift, and empower young people.”