The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and Practagali Partners, organisers of the maiden Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BAT SWAG), have announced that the inaugural edition of the games will be hosted in Lagos.

BATSWAG, a unifying sports initiative led by Practagali Partners, is designed to discover emerging under-18 athletes from across the Southwest region, encourage mass participation in sports, and provide opportunities for talented athletes to showcase their skills and build a career in sports.

Scheduled for March 2025, the highly anticipated competition will bring together promising young talents from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, to compete in various sporting disciplines, including Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Boxing, Football, Table Tennis, Traditional African games, Ayo-Olopon and Abula.

BATSWAG aims to promote youth development, stimulate sports participation, and encourage inclusivity through adaptive sports. The event will showcase the immense sporting potential within the Southwestern region while creating opportunities for budding athletes to shine on a regional stage.

Speaking on the upcoming tournament, the Director-General of LSSC, Lekan Fatodu, expressed enthusiasm about Lagos being identified as the state where the event will be hosted.

“Hosting the inaugural edition of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games in Lagos is an honour, and it speaks volumes about the support and commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sports over the years, which has laid the foundation and created many opportunities and resources for Lagos to be the ideal location for any great sporting events. The future of sports in the South-West region is bright, and the BAT SWAG Games will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for young athletes aiming for national and international success.”

Ms Funmilola Adedipe, Managing Director of Practagali Partners, highlighted the broader impact of the event, noting that it aims to promote positive engagement among youth and rescue them from the grip of social vices prevalent in society.
She said, “The BAT SWAG Games will not only nurture talent but also serve as a vital tool for social reformation, using sports as a vehicle for development, empowerment, and hope.”

Adedipe also highlighted the significance of Practagali Partners’ collaboration with the Lagos State Government, noting that the partnership will create sustainable opportunities for youth and further the cause of grassroots sports development across the region.

“This partnership with Lagos as the host state will bolster efforts to engage youth meaningfully, and we look forward to discovering new talents that can potentially represent Nigeria on the global stage,” Adedipe added.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games is expected to be a remarkable event, showcasing the wealth of talent within the region. The competition will draw in large crowds, enhance community spirit, and create a sports participation legacy that will impact future generations.
By being chosen as the host state, Lagos further solidifies its reputation as a hub for sports development and excellence.

Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has cautioned Nigeria’s CHAN Eagles not to underestimate the determination of Ghana’s Black Galaxies ahead of their crucial playoff return leg in Uyo on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The stakes are high, with the overall winner set to qualify for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place in February 2025 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The first leg in Accra ended goalless, leaving all to play for in the return fixture.

Former Borussia Dortmund striker and one-time Africa Footballer of the Year Ikpeba urged Nigeria’s home-based stars to seize the moment.

“The CHAN Eagles must fight because this is one game that Ghana do not want to lose,” Ikpeba told SuperSport.

“We all remember what happened with the Super Eagles against the same Ghana for the 2022 World Cup.”

Ikpeba highlighted the significance of qualification, not just for national pride but also for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and its players.

“This is a big chance for the league and home-based players to show what they are capable of,” he added.

“Many of us have had our reservations about the players in the NPFL, particularly going by their performance on the continent.”

In preparation for the decisive clash, the CHAN Eagles have bolstered their squad by recalling five players, including forwards Samuel Ayanrinde (Shooting Stars) and Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors).

Both are expected to add firepower to Nigeria’s attack with their physicality and goal-scoring prowess.

Midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers), Vincent Temitope (Plateau United), and Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United) also return to the fold after being initially omitted from the trip to Ghana.

The team is already in Uyo and have been training twice a day, focusing on securing a crucial victory on home soil.

The match against Ghana kicks off at 5 pm on Saturday, with Nigeria looking to redeem recent setbacks against Ghana and secure a spot in Africa’s prestigious tournament for home-based players.

Interim head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his willingness to continue leading the team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) calls on him, Soccernet.ng reports.

However, the former international defender has also urged the federation to swiftly decide on appointing a permanent manager, emphasizing the importance of clarity and preparation.

“If I am called upon (by the NFF to manage the Super Eagles through the remainder of the 2026 WCQ series), I don’t know what I will say,” Eguavoen told Kennis FM.

“But all hands must be on deck. We want to try and qualify for the World Cup. March is just around the corner. If we have to do something (about the team), we need to do it quick.”

Eguavoen, who took the reins in September, successfully led Nigeria to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite this achievement, the NFF remains intent on appointing a foreign coach to lead the three-time African champions.

With the World Cup qualifiers resuming in March 2025, Eguavoen has stressed the urgency of finalizing the coaching situation.

“That person should come in as quickly as possible, settle down, so that we could speak, tweak things, exchange ideas, and talk about the way forward,” he continued.

“The earlier (that a substantive coach is found), the better.”

Nigeria face an uphill task to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Super Eagles have struggled in their qualifying campaign, failing to win any of their first four games and trailing behind Rwanda, Benin, and South Africa in a group where only the top team secures automatic qualification.

The urgency is palpable as Nigeria seek to return to the global stage after missing out on Qatar 2022.