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Pan African School GamesBy Vivian Ahanmisi
Organisers of the Pan African School Games says their focus will be on creating academic and sporting opportunities for young Africans, rather than medals and trophies alone.
The second edition of the Games is scheduled for Oct. 16 to Oct. 18, at James Hope College, Lekki, following the success of the maiden outing.
Pan African School GamesThe organisers, Dr Seun Akinbohun, Dr Busola Tejumola and Aderoju Ope-Ajayi, in a joint statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos, said the vision of the games had gone beyond medals and trophies.
According to them, the competition can serve as a launchpad for young athletes to turn sporting talent into lifelong academic and career opportunities.
“Our vision goes beyond medals, trophies and podium finishes.
“We want the games to become a platform where young Africans can discover opportunities that will shape their sporting and academic futures,” they stated.
They noted that the decision to rename the event from Africa School Games to Pan African School Games also reflected the broader vision of the initiative.
The organisers explained that the competition was never designed to be limited to Lagos or Nigeria, but to bring young people from across Africa together through sport, education and cultural exchange.
“The new name better captures our continental aspiration and our desire to build an African-owned sporting ecosystem.
“We want young athletes to compete, build friendships and access life-changing opportunities,” they said.
They noted that the maiden edition attracted 11 schools and more than 300 student-athletes, laying a foundation for the competition’s expansion.
According to them, for the second edition, participation is expected to increase, as more schools have expressed interest in joining the competition.
“However, the focus is not only on numbers.
“Maintaining the quality of competition and ensuring a rewarding experience for every athlete remain equally important.
“The true success of the games should be measured by the impact we have on participants, whether or not they leave with medals,” they said.
They added that staging a multi-sport event of this scale came with challenges, including funding, logistics, transportation, venue management, technical officiating, safeguarding and medical support.
The organisers said each sporting discipline also had its own technical requirements and operational demands, requiring detailed planning and resources.
“To address the challenges and ensure the sustainability of the games, a model built around sponsorship, strategic partnerships and institutional support has been adopted.
”The model is designed to reduce dependence on a single source of funding.
“While the maiden edition was about proving that the concept could work, this edition represents the next stage of growth,” the organisers said.
They said lessons from the inaugural event had strengthened planning, improved logistics and enhanced athlete welfare initiatives.
“There is also a renewed focus on talent identification, technical standards and stakeholder engagement.
“Beyond the annual competition, the long-term ambition is to create an ecosystem linking schools, coaches, parents, sports administrators, scouts and educational institutions.
“We want to provide young athletes with clear pathways for future development, both in sports and education,” they said.
According to them, education remains a major part of the game’s vision.
They said through partnerships with organisations such as Plumptre Advisory, the competition had established links with leading international schools.
The organisers said these include McCallie School in the U.S., as well as Bethany School, Buckswood School and Roedean School, all in the United Kingdom.
The organisers said success should not end with a student winning a medal.
“Talented athletes should be identified, evaluated and connected to opportunities that can advance both their sporting and academic ambitions.
“The involvement of international schools and talent scouts could provide opportunities for scholarships, educational placements and continued athletic development for exceptional participants.
“The competition has also attracted the backing of corporate partners and stakeholders.
“They include Prime Atlantic, Mikano Changan, UAC Foods, Nigerian Exchange, 33 Productions, What Media, Kantar, Logic City and Flutter wave,” they stated.
According to them, the Lagos government and its Sports Commission have also supported the initiative, particularly in talent discovery and school sports development.
“These partnerships will play a crucial role in transforming the games into a truly continental competition,” the organisers said.
They said although Lagos remained the foundation of the games, expansion beyond the city and Nigeria had always been part of the plan.
They noted that the expansion was already taking shape, with schools from Kenya and Ghana expected to participate in the 2027 edition.
The organisers added that the development was expected to strengthen the position of the games, as a genuinely Pan-African competition.
“The long-term goal is to create a recognised pathway for young athletes across Africa, while promoting cultural exchange, friendship and unity among participating countries,”they said.
In spite of the growing scale, the organisers said rewards would continue to extend beyond sporting achievement.
They said outstanding athletes would have access to scouts, coaches and educational institutions.
“Participating schools will also compete for a major prize, a brand-new school bus sponsored by Mikano Changan Motors,” the stated.
However, the organisers said the greatest reward would not be a trophy nor a vehicle.
“The greatest prize is for every participant to leave with confidence, exposure, meaningful connections and the possibility of a brighter future.
“As anticipation builds for the second edition at James Hope College, the Pan African School Games is positioned to create opportunities beyond the playing field,” they said.
The organisers added that the ultimate aim was to help young African athletes transform their talents into lifelong opportunities. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu
English (US) ·