All roads lead to March 2025. In the third month of the new calendar year, a grand new spectacle is set to unfold as the National Sports Commission (NSC) partners with Practagali Limited to host the maiden edition of the South West Games 2025. A sub-tournament of this pioneering initiative, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BAT-SWAG), will serve as an illustrious platform to unearth and nurture the region’s next generation of sporting talents.

Like a well-struck gong resonating across the six Southwestern states—Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, and Oyo—this tournament heralds a new dawn of competitive sportsmanship, youth empowerment, and regional unity. More than a tournament, the South West Games 2025 is an epochal rallying call for athletes, policymakers, and sports enthusiasts to converge in celebration of skill, endurance, and the unifying spirit of the game.

The NSC, from its citadel of sports governance, has endorsed the historic event. In a declaration suffused with optimism, the Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olawale Olopade, underscored the Commission’s commitment to ensuring the Games achieve their 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 recognizes the immense potential of this initiative to elevate sports development and nation-building.”

He further emphasized that beyond the spectacle of competition, these Games will become conduits for leadership growth, skill development, and economic stimulation across the region. To this end, the NSC has pledged its unwavering support in providing technical expertise, logistical assistance, and strategic direction to ensure the tournament meets international standards.

“By uniting people through sports, the Games will not only elevate the competitive landscape of the region but will also serve as an engine for fostering resilience, discipline, and social cohesion,” Olopade remarked. He lauded Practagali Limited for its visionary leadership in conceiving such an initiative, stressing that the synergy between government and private stakeholders will be crucial in redefining the Southwest as a veritable hub of sporting excellence.

The decision to host the inaugural edition of the South West Games in Lagos stands as a testament to the state’s towering reputation as the heartbeat of Nigerian sports. From its world-class sporting infrastructure to its history of hosting elite competitions, Lagos offers a fertile ground upon which this grand sporting vision will blossom.

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.”

Echoing this sentiment, Victor Ganzallo, the Spokesman for the Games, described BAT-SWAG as a potent tool to channel the energies of youth into productive ventures, particularly in an era where social vices lurk as omnipresent threats. He said, “Sports possess an unparalleled power to transform lives, and BAT-SWAG is designed to harness this power to inspire, uplift, and empower young people.

“The legacy of BAT-SWAG will be measured not just in the moments of triumph on the field but in the opportunities it creates, the lives it transforms, and the communities it uplifts. This is more than a sporting event; it is a movement.”

On her part, Funmilola Adedipe, the Managing Director of Practagali Partners, the Games are 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 South West Games will not only provide a podium for young athletes to shine but will also catalyze the creation of a sustainable ecosystem where sports serve as a gateway to economic empowerment, education, and career advancement.”

The South West Games 2025 is geared to transcend the traditional confines of competition, offering an eclectic mix of sporting disciplines tailored to both contemporary and indigenous traditions. Competitions will span athletics (track and field), basketball, boxing, football, table tennis, and traditional African games such as Ayo-Olopon and Abula. In a commendable move towards inclusivity, the event will also feature adaptive sports, ensuring that athletes with disabilities are afforded an equal platform to showcase their skills.

Beyond the fanfare of medals and trophies, the South West Games 2025 is designed to leave an enduring imprint on the socio-economic fabric of the region. The influx of athletes, spectators, and corporate sponsors is expected to invigorate local economies, drive infrastructural enhancements, and foster an enduring culture of sports patronage.

Moreover, as the Games become institutionalized, they will serve as a breeding ground for future Olympians, national team prospects, and international sports icons. The organizers envision a tournament where every participant—whether triumphant or not—leaves with valuable lessons in discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

As the countdown begins to the inaugural South West Games 2025, the stakes have never been higher. For the NSC, Practagali Limited, and the Lagos State Sports Commission, this is a defining moment—a chance to etch an indelible chapter in Nigeria’s sporting annals.

With Lagos as its grand stage, and with the NSC’s strategic oversight, BAT-SWAG is primed to become a hub of talent discovery, youth engagement, and regional unity. The Southwest is on the cusp of a sporting renaissance as the echoes of competition reverberate across its landscapes.

The stage is set, the anticipation palpable. The South West Games 2025 beckon, promising a spectacle not merely to be witnessed, but to be felt in the very heartbeat of the region.

The Junior Female Yellow-Greens of Nigeria secured a two-run victory over New Zealand at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.

The team stunned their New Zealander opponents to claim Nigeria’s first-ever win in the tournament on Monday.

The game nearly followed the script of Nigeria’s scheduled first game against Samoa, which was abandoned due to a downpour on Friday. But the rain only forced a few minutes of delay as the Junior Female Yellow-Greens eventually wrote themselves into history.

New Zealand elected to field first, sending the Nigerian batters into the crease. But Lucky Piety, Nigerian captain, hit the team’s first six at a Women’s World Cup in a steadied innings, leading her side to finish with 65 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs.

Knowing they had to be superior in their bowling, the Nigerians took the second innings slow and steady and eventually knocked off the fourth-ranked New Zealand for 63 runs for the loss of six wickets.

Speaking after the game, Piety said the ambition to win for Nigeria motivated the victory.

“We felt really short-changed by the rain on Saturday but we were determined not to rest on our oars and today’s victory has made us even more motivated to keep going in the competition, notwithstanding that it is our maiden outing,” she said.

“We are dedicating this win to all Nigerians at home and around the world and I want to say we will not let down,” the captain also said.

Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said the cricketers’ outing in Malaysia is a reward for seven years of hard work and grassroots development tailored towards global acclaim.

“I am confident in the ability of the girls to excel and I believe they would use this tournament to announce their arrival on the scene and make Nigeria proud,” Akpata said.

Nigeria next faces South Africa on Wednesday.

Anthony Joshua says his goal for 2025 is to finally face Tyson Fury in the ring for their long-awaited all-British heavyweight boxing match.

Joshua shared his thoughts on Wednesday during a conversation with journalists after meeting President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

The 35-year-old Nigerian-British boxer and Fury have been long-time rivals. A fight between them has been scheduled twice, but both times the plans fell through.

Joshua expressed that his aim for the new year is to eventually face his arch-rival. He also added that he is eager to capture the world heavyweight boxing title for a third time.

“2024, when I look back, I believe I could have done more. 2025, I want to do more and will ensure I use every opportunity,” he said.

“I should have won [against Dubois] but did not. Ups and downs do happen. My life is up and down. So, I get used to the turbulent times and keep riding the wave. I cannot stop there.

“My target for 2025 is Tyson Fury.”

Joshua and Fury are currently without titles. Both lost their belts to Oleksandr Usyk over the past two years.

Usyk defeated Joshua in 2021 and 2022 to claim the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles, and the Ukrainian also triumphed over Fury twice in 2024 to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world in 25 years.