No fewer than 2,000 students from more than 200 schools participated in the 2026 Starlets Ogun State School Sports Festival sponsored by First Bank and other partners.
Mr Alex Okonkwo, the Coordinator of the festival, who spoke on the sidelines of the grand finale of the festival at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Thursday, noted that the initiative gives students a platform to test their abilities and potential.
Okonkwo explained that the festival, organised by Five Media Communications, provided a platform for students to showcase their sporting talents, compete, develop skills, and interact with their peers.
He said the competition was initially organised across Ogun’s four academic zones: Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba, with successful participants qualifying for the state-level finals.
According to him, the students competing in Abeokuta are zonal champions who earned their places through preliminary contests.
He described sports as an integral part of education, stressing that physical activities complemented academic development and contributed to students’ overall well-being.
He said sporting competitions also offer opportunities for friendship, networking and life-changing relationships, while enabling talented students to secure educational scholarships.
The coordinator urged the government to provide more infrastructure, logistics and financial support to strengthen grassroots sports development across the state.
He commended the Commissioner for Sports, Mr Wasiu Isiaka, for making the sporting facility available, noting that it had exposed many students to standard sporting infrastructure.
He also commended First Bank and other partners for supporting the festival since the beginning.
“The sustained collaboration among government, corporate organisations and other stakeholders is necessary to identify, nurture, and expose promising athletes to national and international opportunities.
“This festival featured football, long jump, track and field events, including relay races and 100-metre races, with boys and girls competing across the categories.
Okonkwo added that every student who qualified and competed at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena was already a winner.
Mr Olarotimi Okelola, Director of Ogun School Sports and Chairman, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Southwest, said the festival was helping to discover and nurture young talents.
According to Okelola, the competition is the second edition, following its inaugural event in 2024, adding that grassroots competitions were organised from local government to state levels.
He commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun and the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, for supporting school sports.
Oba Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, congratulated athletes participating in the competition.
He encouraged them to build lasting friendships, noting that their skills, conduct and character could attract recommendations and opportunities from influential individuals.
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