The inaugural Africa School Games will commence on Friday at the British International School in Lagos, organisers have announced.

The privately organised continental championship will feature competitions in swimming, athletics, and football across three age categories: U-11, U-13, and U-15.

Tournament co-founder Aderoju Ope-Ajayi said the initiative was created to provide young African athletes with a platform to showcase their talents and connect with agents and scholarship opportunities abroad.

“For too long, opportunities for our children have been shaped by external systems. It’s time to change that. ASG is more than a competition; it’s about ownership, pride, and building a legacy for the next generation,” Ope-Ajayi explained.

The event is being championed by Dr Seun Akinbohun, Dr Busola Tejumola, and Ope-Ajayi, who envision a structured school sports ecosystem built on three pillars: continental competition, talent identification, and ecosystem building.

Ope-Ajayi criticised Nigeria’s approach to sports development, noting that the country treats sports as an extracurricular activity rather than a national development tool.

“We wait until athletes are adults before paying attention to them, and by then, many have fallen through the cracks. In countries that dominate global sports, the work starts in schools through structured competitions, investment in coaching, facilities, and talent tracking,” she said.

The organisers plan to expand the games to more countries, sports, and schools annually, with the aim of becoming Africa’s premier school sports platform. (PUNCH)