Organisers of the maiden African School Games (ASG), which featured over 200 student athletes from across the continent, have said that sports fiesta is aimed at preparing student athletes for life in the international arena.

The athletes converged on Lagos, at the weekend, to battle for honours in the three-day event held at the British International School, Victoria Island.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the co-founders of the Games, Dr Seun Akinbohun, Dr Busola Tejumola, and Aderoju Ope-Ajayi, disclosed that the athletes will compete for honours in three categories, including U-11, U-13, and U-15.

They added that schools from Ghana and Kenya, among others, were represented in the Games, which attracted international scouts seeking to offer scholarships and pave professional pathways for talents discovered in the championship.

The organisers explained that athletes competed for medals in three core sports and also were taken through masterclass sessions on talent development, nutrition, and sportsmanship.

“The games emphasise creating a structured pipeline for youth excellence, connecting competitors to agents and overseas academies while promoting fair play and continental unity,” they said.

All the events were hosted by the British International School, which provided state-of-the-art facilities, including an Olympic-standard swimming pool, athletics track, and football pitches.

A member of the organising committee, Ope-Ajayi said: “Africa needs its own platform to celebrate and elevate young sporting talents.” Drawing from successful models in countries like the United States and China, Ope-Ajayi said that the games aims at “using sports as a tool for national growth, starting in schools with investments in coaching, facilities, and tracking systems.

“The aim is to shift perceptions from viewing sports as mere extra-curricular activity to a vital sector for development and global competitiveness.”

Supported by partnerships with schools, sports bodies, and private sponsors, Ope-Ajayi said that the ASG was built through school nominations and regional trials to select participants.

“The initiative rests on three key pillars: fostering continental rivalries, scouting emerging stars, and constructing lasting ecosystems for coaches and infrastructure. Digital platforms will follow up with athlete profiles for ongoing opportunities.”

Highlighting the long-term vision, Ope-Ajayi said: “We plan to expand yearly to more nations, sports, and schools, building a talent pipeline straight to national teams and international stages.

“Young African athletes shouldn’t have to leave the continent to be discovered.”