Ooni of Ife, Osoba canvass support for South-West Games

The South West Games has the potential to become the biggest breeding ground for talented athletes capable of winning medals for Nigeria, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has said.

Speaking while receiving the president of the Games Organising Committee, Akogun Lanre Alfred and his team, the royal father described the event as a historic initiative that will foster youth empowerment, sports development, and cultural integration across the region.

He lauded the vision behind the tournament, emphasising its profound role in revitalising grassroots sports and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the South West.

“The South West Games 2025 is an initiative that will inspire our youth, unite our people, and showcase the strength of our region. This is a golden opportunity to nurture talent, create opportunities, and drive regional development through sports,” the Ooni stated.

Also thrilled by the Games’ potential to become the breeding ground for talented athletes is former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who underscored the Games’ significance in fostering grassroots sports and strengthening cultural ties among the South West states.

Speaking in his Abeokuta residence, Osoba lauded the initiative as a timely intervention that will harness the immense potential of young athletes while also serving as a unifying force for the region.

Osoba said: “The South West Games 2025 is an exemplary initiative that will promote sports development and deepen the historical and cultural connections among South West states. I commend the organisers for their dedication to this noble cause, and I wholeheartedly lend my support to its success,” Osoba stated.

Scheduled to take place later this month, the South West Games 2025 will bring together 1,200 athletes and 120 officials from all six South West states, promising an electrifying display of talent and competition.

A major highlight of the Games is the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BATSWAG), a flagship sub-tournament dedicated to identifying and nurturing young talents under the age of 18.

The five-day competition will feature athletes from the six South West states competing in seven sporting disciplines, positioning the region as a breeding ground for future champions.