Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has pledged his support for the highly anticipated South West Games 2025, highlighting its potential to drive sports development and strengthen inter-state collaboration in the region.
While hosting a delegation led by the Main Organizing Committee’s President, Akogun Olanrewaju Alfred, at the Government House in Ibadan, Makinde praised the initiative as a crucial step in regional sports advancement. He described it as a platform for talent discovery, economic growth, and social unity.
“The South West has always been a powerhouse in Nigerian sports, producing world-class athletes who have represented this country with distinction on the global stage,” Makinde stated. “If well put together, and the appropriate mechanisms are put in place to sustain it, the South West Games will become one of the region’s most dependable investments in the dreams of our young athletes and the future of the southwest.”
Scheduled to hold between March 26 and 28, the South West Games is poised to be one of the largest sporting spectacles in recent times. With over 1,200 athletes and 120 officials expected to participate, the tournament will serve as a launchpad for emerging talents while also fostering cross-border camaraderie among the six south-western states: Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti.
A key feature of the tournament is the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BATSWAG) also featuring the under-18 category, which is specifically designed to provide structured exposure for budding athletes, ensuring they are nurtured and guided towards professional careers in sports and in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for youth empowerment and sports development.
Makinde emphasized that the youth-focused approach of the tournament aligns with his administration’s broader vision of empowering young people through sports, education, and entrepreneurship.
“Sports has a profound ability to unify people, transcend barriers, and ignite social progress,” Makinde remarked “Beyond medals and trophies, this event will instil discipline, teamwork, and ambition in our young athletes. It will equip participants with values that will serve them in all aspects of life.”
The South West Games 2025 has already garnered significant backing from notable figures within the region. In addition to Governor Makinde’s endorsement, the initiative has received support from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke, as well as key traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Akogun Alfred hailed Makinde’s endorsement as a significant milestone in the build-up to the games, acknowledging that his support would inspire confidence among other stakeholders.
“Governor Makinde’s alignment with this vision underscores the importance of what we are building,” Alfred noted. “The South West Games seeks to create a lasting framework for sports excellence, youth engagement, and regional prosperity. With such committed leadership backing us, we are confident that this event will be remembered as a landmark in Nigerian sports history.”
With preparations in full swing, excitement is mounting across the region as sports enthusiasts, athletes, and corporate stakeholders gear up for what promises to be a landmark event in the country’s sports development. The dedication and cooperation of regional leaders reflect a renewed commitment to leveraging sports as a catalyst for growth, unity, and economic advancement.
As the countdown to the South West Games 2025 continues, expectations are high that the initiative will highlight the transformative power of sports—offering young talents a sense of purpose, fostering community cohesion, and positioning the region for a more inclusive and prosperous future.