With just five days to go, the stage is set and the excitement is palpable as Abeokuta prepares to welcome Africa’s future athletics stars for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championship.
The prestigious continental competition, which will be hosted at the iconic MKO Abiola Stadium, is drawing in a lineup of eminent dignitaries and leaders from across Nigeria.
Leading the high-profile delegation to Abeokuta are former Minister of Sports and Special Adviser to the President, Media & Public Communication, Hon. Sunday Dare, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, 2nd Vice President of the NOC, Chief Solomon Ogba, as well as representatives from Nigeria’s top security agencies.
The list includes the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. Also expected is the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, underscoring the event’s national importance.
The championship is made possible through the strong backing of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and its key partners. Organisations such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BOI), LEDCO Limited, and MTN Nigeria have all played instrumental roles in making the championship a reality, demonstrating deep commitment to the growth of sports in Nigeria and across Africa.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasised the importance of the event, saying:
“This championship is not just about medals; it’s about rewriting our story in African athletics. With the calibre of young talents coming in, the next Mary Onyali, Deji Aliu, Falilat Ogunkoya, or Olusoji Fasuba may just be stepping onto the track in Abeokuta. The coast is clear—Nigeria is ready.”
Over the decades, Nigerian athletics legends like Mary Onyali, Deji Aliu, Yusuf Alli, Olusoji Fasuba, Falilat Ogunkoya, and Gabriel Okon have left their mark on the global stage.
The 2025 African U18/U20 Championship represents a new era that promises to unearth the next generation of stars destined to follow in their footsteps.
More than 40 countries will be represented, with hundreds of athletes and officials converging in Nigeria for a week of competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange.
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