This monumental event is set to redefine the landscape of sports in the nation particularly the South West, with dignitaries drumming up unprecedented support that promises to usher in a thrilling new era for athletics in Nigeria.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, has thrown his weight behind the maiden South West Games 2025, describing it as a historic initiative that would foster unity, youth empowerment, sports development and cultural integration across the region.
Ooni expressed his full support while meeting with Akogun Lanre Alfred, the president of the organising committee and his team.
Ooni praised the tournament’s vision, highlighting its significant role in revitalizing grassroots sports and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the South West.
According to him, the South West (SW) 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 job opportunities and drive regional development through sports,” he said.
The monarch added that beyond the excitement of the tournament, the event would serves as a strategic platform to enhance cultural ties and economic growth.
The Ooni described it as a vital step toward securing the sporting future of Nigeria.
“Many great athletes were discovered at grassroots competitions like this. With the right support, the South West Games simply referred to as SWAG, will produce the next generation of sports icons who will make Nigeria proud on the global stage,” he said.
Also Former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba (CFR), has officially endorsed the South West Games 2025, hailing the sporting fiesta as a praiseworthy initiative poised to drive youth empowerment, regional unity, and sports development.
Osoba threw his weight behind the epochal event as he received the President of the Organising Committee, Dr. Alfred, at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State at the weekend.
Commending the vision behind the tournament, Osoba underscored the Games’ significance in fostering grassroots sports and strengthening cultural ties among the South West states.
The politician lauded the initiative as a timely intervention that would harness the immense potential of young athletes while also serving as a unifying force for the region.
“The South West Games 2025 is an exemplary initiative that will promote sports development and deepen the historical and cultural connections among the 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.
A host of esteemed personalities have thrown their support behind this initiative, among them; Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and current FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Golf Federation; Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Media personality and entrepreneur; AARE Dele Momodu, Football legend and sports administrator; Segun Odegbami, Chairman of Odu'a Investment Company Limited; Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; Director General of the National Sports Commission; Bukola Olopade and Lagos State Director General of Sports, Lekan Fatodu among others.
SWAG, a unifying sports initiative is designed to discover emerging under-18 athletes from across the Southwest region, encourage mass participation in sports, and provide opportunities for talented athletes to showcase their skills and build a career in sports.
Scheduled for March 2025, the highly anticipated competition will bring together promising young talents from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti, to compete in various sporting disciplines including Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Boxing, Football, Table Tennis, Traditional African games, Ayo-Olopon and Abula (how many sports? give a number)
As excitement builds and the countdown begins, the SouthWest Games (SWAG) stands tall as a historic gathering for a renaissance of sports development.
