ABUJA – The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has declared Nigeria’s hosting of the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championship as a major boost for the country’s sporting profile and economy. Olopade, who doubles as Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, spoke during a world press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, describing the event as a “win-win” for Nigeria. The continental championship, originally slated for Algeria, will now take place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from July 16 to 20, 2025, following Algeria’s withdrawal. Olopade explained that bringing the tournament home is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to reposition Nigeria as a preferred destination for global sporting events. “Gone are the days when we only sent our athletes abroad. Now, we are hosting major competitions here, building our infrastructure, empowering local businesses, and giving young talents a platform to shine,” Olopade stated. He credited NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for Nigeria’s successful bid to host the event, following engagements with the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) in Algeria. According to him, all critical areas — including accommodation, transportation, feeding, technical logistics, and media coverage — are receiving top priority to ensure the championship meets international standards. “We are determined to deliver a world-class tournament that will cement Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s sporting giant,” Olopade assured. He also expressed optimism that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) would leverage the championship to discover new talents that can represent the country in global competitions like the Islamic Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Already, 583 athletes from 30 countries have confirmed their participation, with organisers expecting the figure to rise to over 900 as entries continue to pour in.