By Faith Anisiobi The Sight News
The Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), has signed the Games Hosting Agreement with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) for the second edition of the African School Games, scheduled to hold in Abuja in 2027.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Abuja, officially confirming Nigeria as host of the continental school sports event and setting the stage for preparations ahead of the Games.
Speaking at the ceremony, NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, described the hosting rights as a major milestone for Nigerian sports and said the event aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of revitalizing the country’s sports sector through grassroots development.
Dikko said school sports remain the foundation of athlete development, adding that the Commission is strengthening collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education to promote sports at the grassroots.
He highlighted the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, introduced as the 38th state at the National Sports Festival, as part of efforts to discover and nurture young talents across the country.
The NSC chairman also said the Commission’s ongoing drive to upgrade sporting infrastructure would support the successful hosting of the Games, assuring ANOCA that Nigeria would deliver a world-class event comparable to previous international competitions hosted by the country.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said hosting the African School Games reflects the Commission’s commitment to grassroots sports development.
Olopade expressed confidence in the Local Organizing Committee, led by Lekan Abari, noting that the quality of the team assembled had earned the confidence of ANOCA.
ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf, commended the Nigerian Government and the NSC leadership for their commitment to hosting the Games, describing the event as an important investment in the future of African children and youth.
He said the signing of the hosting agreement formally confirmed Abuja as the venue for the 2027 African School Games and wished Nigeria success in organizing the competition.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of an Honorary Award of Excellence to Mallam Shehu Dikko by ANOCA in recognition of his contributions to sports development in Nigeria and across Africa.
Hon. Bukola Olopade also received a Plaque of Appreciation from the continental sports body for his leadership and commitment to sports administration.
Among dignitaries at the event were ANOCA First Vice President João Da Costa, Secretary General Ahmed Hashim, ANOCA Treasurer and President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, NOC Secretary General Babatunde Popoola, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Anthony Adeboye, Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu, Algerian Ambassador to Nigeria Hocine Mezoued, and Chairman of the Abuja 2027 Local Organizing Committee, Lekan Abari, who unveiled the Games’ logo and mascot.
