Lagos State, in partnership with Practagali Limited, will in March this year host the maiden edition of the South West Games 2025, a sub-tournament pioneering initiative of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BAT-SWAG), to unearth and nurture the region’s next generation of sporting talents.
The NSC has endorsed the historic event. In a declaration by the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olawale Olopade, who underscored the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the Games achieve their full potential.
The South West Games 2025 and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games are not mere contests of athletic prowess; they are platforms for youth engagement, talent discovery, and community unity. The NSC recognizes the immense potential of this initiative to elevate sports development and nation-building.”
The six southwestern states, Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, and Oyo, will compete in an atmosphere of sportsmanship, youth empowerment, and regional unity.
According to Victor Ganzallo, the Spokesman for the Games, the South West Games 2025 is an epochal rallying call for athletes, policymakers, and sports enthusiasts to converge in celebration of skill, endurance, and the unifying spirit of the game.
The legacy of BAT-SWAG will be measured not just in the moments of triumph on the field but in the opportunities it creates, the lives it transforms, and the communities it uplifts. This is more than a sporting event; it is a movement,” Ganzallo added.
On her part, Funmilola Adedipe, the Managing Director of Practagali Partners, said the Games are designed to be more than just an exhibition of athletic prowess—they will be a blueprint for youth engagement, grassroots talent development, and the cultivation of a robust sporting culture within the region.
“The South West Games will not only provide a podium for young athletes to shine but will also catalyze the creation of a sustainable ecosystem where sports serve as a gateway to economic empowerment, education, and career advancement.”
The South West Games 2025 is geared to transcend the traditional confines of competition, offering an eclectic mix of sporting disciplines tailored to both contemporary and indigenous traditions.
Competitions will span athletics (track and field), basketball, boxing, football, table tennis, and traditional African games such as Ayo-Olopon and Abula.
In a commendable move towards inclusivity, the event will also feature adaptive sports, ensuring that athletes with disabilities are afforded an equal platform to showcase their skills.
The South West Games 2025 is designed to leave an enduring imprint on the socio-economic fabric of the region. The influx of athletes, spectators, and corporate sponsors is expected to invigorate local economies, drive infrastructural enhancements, and foster an enduring culture of sports patronage.
Olapade further emphasized that beyond the spectacle of competition, these Games will become conduits for leadership growth, skill development, and economic stimulation across the region.
“To this end, the NSC has pledged its unwavering support in providing technical expertise, logistical assistance, and strategic direction to ensure the tournament meets international standards.”
Olopade lauded Practagali Limited for its visionary leadership in conceiving such an initiative, stressing that the synergy between government and private stakeholders will be crucial in redefining the Southwest as a veritable hub of sporting excellence.
The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, expressed confidence in the state’s ability to deliver a spectacle worthy of its name.
“Hosting the inaugural Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games is a reaffirmation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering commitment to sports development. Lagos has consistently championed the cause of athletic excellence, making it the perfect launchpad for this historic initiative.”
