A team of 60 student-athletes has departed Nigeria for Annaba, Algeria, to participate in the first-ever African School Sports Championship, scheduled to run from July 26 to August 5, 2025, Afrosport reports.
The Nigerian contingent will compete across 10 sporting disciplines, including athletics (12 athletes), swimming (8), football (18), taekwondo (4), beach canoe (4), badminton (3), basketball 3×3 (3), beach volleyball (2), cycling (2), and table tennis (2).
Speaking ahead of the championship, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, hailed the event as a significant step in Nigeria’s grassroots sports development.
“This championship is about sowing the seeds of our sporting future,” Olopade said. “These student-athletes are more than just competitors; they are ambassadors of what we hope to build, a clear pathway from the classroom to the global stage.”
The team underwent final preparations at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, where they were camped and trained prior to their departure.
Organised by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the African School Sports Championship is designed to promote Olympic values among African youth and establish a solid foundation for talent discovery, development, and integration from an early age.
In adherence to tournament regulations, all Nigerian participants submitted valid school certificates. The NSC, in partnership with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), also ensured that parental consents were secured for all underage athletes, working closely with families.
