President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Lekan Fatodu, has called for stronger partnerships with schools and the private sector as part of efforts to discover and develop the next generation of Nigerian swimming talents.

Fatodu believes schools can play a crucial role in creating a wider pathway for young athletes to enter competitive aquatics, while greater private-sector involvement would provide additional support for talent development.

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According to him, Nigeria has talented young swimmers, but many of them require structured opportunities, regular competition and the right support system to reach their potential.

He stressed that collaboration between the federation, schools and private organisations would help broaden participation and create a more sustainable talent pipeline for the sport.

Fatodu also highlighted the importance of giving promising athletes access to quality training and modern competition standards as they progress through the ranks.

The federation president believes such partnerships can ultimately help Nigeria produce swimmers capable of competing consistently at African and global championships.

His approach places greater emphasis on grassroots identification and long-term athlete development, rather than waiting until international competitions to search for established talents.

With the right collaboration between sports administrators, educational institutions and the private sector, Fatodu believes Nigeria can build a stronger foundation for aquatics and give more young athletes the opportunity to excel.

The message is clear: find the talents early, give them the right platform and build them for the future.

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Tennis players from 21 states across Nigeria have converged in Lagos for the 4th edition of the annual Gbolahan Odele Tennis Championship, with young talents competing for educational grants and valuable Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) points.

Sports247 reports that the championship is taking place at the Adejumo Tennis Complex in Ejigbo, Lagos, which is hosting the promising gathering of players from different parts of the country.

Participants drawn from states including Ebonyi, Bauchi, Cross River, the Federal Capital Territory, Osun, Kwara, Ogun, Adamawa, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Ekiti and Edo, among others, are competing across various age categories.

The tournament features competitions in the Boys’ Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 categories, as well as the Youth category, providing a platform for emerging players to test their skills against opponents from different regions.

Beyond the competitive aspect, the championship is aimed at supporting the development of grassroots tennis while creating opportunities for young players to combine sporting excellence with educational advancement.

The availability of educational grants is expected to provide additional motivation for the participants, while the UTR points on offer could contribute to the players’ competitive profiles and future progression in the sport.

The gathering of athletes from 21 states also highlights the growing interest in junior tennis development and the importance of tournaments that provide young players with regular competitive exposure.

The Adejumo Tennis Complex has therefore become a meeting point for some of the country’s emerging tennis talents, with players battling not only for honours but also for opportunities that could positively influence their sporting and educational journeys.

As the championship continues, attention will be focused on the performances of the young competitors across the different categories, with organisers hoping the tournament will help identify and encourage the next generation of Nigerian tennis stars.

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The Kwara State Sports Commission has unveiled the official logo and mascot for the 8th edition of the Kwara State Sports Festival, with about 700 athletes expected to compete in the week-long multi-sport event.

Sports247 reports that the unveiling took place on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Conference Room of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Ilorin, ahead of the festival scheduled for August 21 to 29 at the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex.

Athletes from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state are expected to participate in 28 sporting events, with each local government allowed to field a maximum of 100 athletes across the various competitions.

Speaking with journalists, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Mallam Bola Mogaji, commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for creating opportunities for young people through sports.

Mogaji also appreciated the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the chairmen of the 16 local government areas for their support for youth and sports development in the state.

Reflecting on the history of the National Sports Festival, Mogaji recalled his participation alongside Governor AbdulRazaq and Hameed Adio as athletes representing Kwara State. He explained that the revival of the state sports festival in 2000 was intended to sustain the competition as a biennial event.

According to him, the programme later experienced a gap due to the renovation and construction of sporting facilities at the George Agbazika Innih Stadium Complex.

He added that the return of the festival would provide an opportunity to showcase the newly improved facilities, identify sporting talents, celebrate the diverse cultures of the state and promote unity and togetherness among residents.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Dr. Steve Olarinoye, assured that preparations were progressing smoothly, saying more than 60 percent of the work had been completed.

Olarinoye confirmed that approximately 700 male and female athletes are expected to participate in the festival.

Accreditation of athletes and officials is scheduled for Friday, August 21, while the opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

The festival is expected to provide a platform for emerging athletes to compete, gain exposure and potentially earn recognition for future representation of Kwara State at higher levels.

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