2 weeks Ago By Guardian Nigeria
With 14 gold, five silver and two bronze medals, Team Lagos State, at the weekend, beat five other states to the overall crown at the maiden South-West Games. The grand finale of the Games was held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, with top South-West sports personalities and eminent businessmen, artistes, and politicians on hand to witness the exhilarating closing ceremony. In second place at the three-day competition was Ogun State with 10 gold medals, while Ondo State came third with three gold medals.
At the competition featuring U-18 athletes from the region, Team Lagos also won the final of the football event, which was part of the closing ceremony, by defeating Ekiti 5-2 in a pulsating game that had spectators begging for more. The Lagos team capped its performance at the Games with an overwhelming haul of medals in table tennis, boxing, and archery. In table tennis, Lagos won all five gold medals on display and two silver medals, while taking a commanding lead in boxing, winning all four gold medals available.
The hosts were also impressive in archery, winning seven medals (four gold, two silver, and one bronze medal) to finish on top of the overall table with 14 gold, five silver, and two bronze medals. Ogun State was also impressive, topping the table in basketball (two gold medals), archery (four gold, two silver, and three bronze medals), and athletics (three gold and four silver medals, to finish second overall. In overall third place was Ondo State with three gold, nine silver, and seven gold medals.
While all the winners went home with medals, individual award winners were also awarded laurels, with the top three winners getting shining trophies to show for their efforts. Impressed with the outcome of the games, its convener, Dr. Lanre Alfred, said that the event would be held yearly.
He described the South-West Games 2025 as a movement driven by the revolutionary power of sports, saying that at its core is the Bola Ahmed Tinubu South West Alliance Games (BATSWAG), a sub-tournament designed to mirror the legacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “The games are an avenue to address the daunting challenges facing young people in the South West, from limited exposure to socio-economic struggles. With BATSWAG, we hope to celebrate Tinubu’s visionary leadership while providing a platform for young talents to dream, achieve, and inspire others.
“For about a week, these young athletes found purpose, direction, and joy in sports. This is a cause worth sustaining and supporting by our governors and corporate organisations alike. We cannot do it alone.
The South-West Games belong to the youth, and as leaders and stakeholders, it is our responsibility to ensure that they have the platform they need to thrive. To every sponsor, every governor, every administrator, and every individual who contributed to making this event a reality, I say thank you. The journey has only just begun, and with continued support, we will take the South West Games to even greater heights,” he said.
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