The six states in the southwest region of the country will converge on Lagos by March for the inaugural edition of the Southwest Games which is tagged the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games 2025.
Organised by Practagali Partners with support from the National Sports Commission, the multi-sports event will feature football, athletics, basketball, boxing, table tennis, and traditional African games such as Ayo-Olopon and Abula.
According to the organisers, it will also include adaptive sports, ensuring that athletes with disabilities are given equal platform to showcase their skills.
Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, underscored the commission’s commitment to ensuring the games achieve its full potential.
“The South West Games 2025 and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games are not mere contests of athletic prowess; they are platforms for youth engagement, talent discovery, and community unity. The NSC recognises the immense potential of this initiative to elevate sports development and nation-building.”
Similarly, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, expressed confidence in the state’s ability to deliver a spectacle worthy of its name.
“Hosting the inaugural Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games is a reaffirmation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering commitment to sports development. Lagos has consistently championed the cause of athletic excellence, making it the perfect launchpad for this historic initiative.”
The spokesman for the Games, Victor Ganzallo, described BAT-SWAG as a potent tool to channel the energies of youth into productive ventures.
“Sports possess an unparalleled power to transform lives, and BAT-SWAG is designed to harness this power to inspire, uplift, and empower young people.”
On her part, Funmilola Adedipe, the Managing Director of Practagali Partners, said the Games were designed to be more than just an exhibition of athletic prowess—they will be a blueprint for youth engagement, grassroots talent development, and the cultivation of a robust sporting culture within the region.
“The Southwest Games will not only provide a podium for young athletes to shine but will also catalyse the creation of a sustainable ecosystem where sports serve as a gateway to economic empowerment, education, and career advancement.”