Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2025 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18/U20 Championships, scheduled to take place from 16th to 20th July in Abeokuta, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has said financial constraints would not impede the hosting of the event.
Speaking recently in Abuja, Olopade, who also serves as the director-general of the National Sports Commission (NSC), stated that this championship would be regarded as one of the most well-sponsored events in history. He underlined the collaboration from both public and private organisations, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Bank of Industry (BOI), and LEDCO, along with major sponsors like 7UP and telecommunications giant MTN, who are all working alongside the NSC to ensure a successful championship.
Olopade attributes this collaboration to the growing confidence that investors have in the new leadership of Nigeria’s sports sector. He noted, “When Malam Shehu Dikko assumed office as the chairman of the NSC, he emphasised the importance of hosting more international competitions within our country rather than sending our athletes abroad. The rationale is clear: capacity building. Bringing competitions to Nigeria will provide our young athletes with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to become world champions.”
He further explained, “Additionally, it will create wealth for our local small-scale businesses and enhance our infrastructure across the country. Traditional sports, such as cricket, and several other sports federations have embraced this idea by hosting their international competitions in Nigeria.”
Olopade expressed gratitude to Malam Shehu Dikko for securing the championship for Nigeria following Algeria’s withdrawal. “As a native of Abeokuta, this is a significant event for me, especially following the recently concluded National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta,” he remarked.
