By Olanrewaju Agiri
Over Three Hundred & Sixty Athletes (360) and their Officials from the Six States in the Southwest of Nigeria will converge in Lagos for the maiden edition of Southwest Games tagged ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games’ which is scheduled to hold as from 25th to 28th March, 2025.
The Managing Director of Practogali Partners, Mrs. Funmilola Adedipe, the organiser and convener of the Southwest Games made this disclosure today at the strategic meeting organised for the General Managers of the Six Southwestern States at the Colossus Conference Centre, Ikeja.
The multi-sports initiative which is the first of it kind is aimed at empowering youths, fostering communal unity and developing talents amongst the under-18 Athletes in the Southwest region of Nigeria.
According to Funmilola Adedipe, the tournament is billed to hold in March to commemorate ”the birthday of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, adding that the first Southwest Games has been endorsed by the National Sports Commission (NSC) which is also offering all necessary technical support for the organizers while Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) will be hosting the Games and offering vital logistical support to make it a huge success”
While addressing the Stakeholders at the high calibre meeting, Victor Ganzallo, the Director of Media for the games disclosed further that “the tournament will feature; Football, Basketball, Table Tennis, Boxing and Athletics stressing that Volleyball was later included due to upsurge of interest expressed by the Stakeholders and popular demand”
The Managing Director reiterated that a level playing ground will be given to all participants from the Six States stressing that a modified screening of Athletes which will also involve physical screening will take place, therefore, the Athletes are requested to come with their NIN Certificates and other relevant valid documents.
The three (3) day Under-18 multi-sports tournament which will ultimately serve as a vehicle for talent discovery and rapid sports development will take place in Lagos, Nigeria.
The closing ceremony is billed to take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan, Lagos on the 28th March, 2025. It will attract Sports Icons, National and International Athletes, Sports Administrators, Political office holders and prime movers of Sports across the country.
It was also confirmed at the meeting that the organizers will make available Trophies for the State that secure first, second and third positions, while medals will be given to participants for Gold, Silver and Bronze. Similarly, all the participants will be offered certificate of participation.
