The atmosphere at the British International School in Lagos was electric as the curtain fell on the first-ever Africa School Games — a three-day festival of youthful energy, skill, and sportsmanship that celebrated the next generation of African athletes.
Eleven schools battled fiercely across swimming, athletics, and football in the U-11, U-13, and U-15 categories, turning the arena into a hub of excitement and friendly rivalry. Beyond the medals, the competition highlighted the growing promise of grassroots sports across the continent.
By the end of the contest, St. Saviours School emerged champions of the U-11 division with an impressive 1,042 points, while Grange School clinched the U-13 crown with 1,168 points. In a rare twist, the U-15 category ended in a tie — British International School and Grange School both sharing top honours with 909 points each.
Representing the Lagos State Sports Commission, Director General Lekan Fatodu praised the tournament’s impact, stressing that events like this are vital for unearthing new talents.
“We’re intentional about discovering young athletes,” he said. “Through partnerships like this, our coaches can identify and nurture future stars. These school competitions are opening the right doors.”
Sports analyst and content creator, Dr. Kelechi Anyikude, echoed the sentiment, applauding the initiative as a major step toward reviving school-level sports.
“Grassroots sports are the foundation of global success,” he said. “This competition is proof that Africa is bursting with potential. I was especially thrilled with the swimming performances some of these kids could easily make it to international stages.”
For co-founder of the Africa School Games, Aderoju Ope-Ajayi, the event’s success exceeded expectations. She described the competition as a testament to the resilience and spirit of African youth.
“We witnessed new records in athletics and incredible personal bests in swimming,” she said proudly. “This is just the beginning. We’re expanding next year to welcome more schools from across Africa.”
She revealed that although schools from Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana expressed interest this year, logistical challenges kept them from participating. However, plans are already underway to ensure full continental representation in the next edition.
“Next year, Lagos will truly host Africa,” she added. “We’re ready to make the next edition even bigger and better.”
With young athletes shining bright and new talents discovered, the maiden Africa School Games has set the tone for a future where African sports can grow stronger — starting right from the school playground.
