TRADITIONAL RULER SEEKS GRASSROOTS-BASED NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION, BACKS SCHOOL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
The Olu of Iwa, Apapa, Lagos State, Oba Moroof Oluwa, has called on the Federal Government and sports authorities to prioritise grassroots athletes in the selection of players for Nigeria's national teams, saying the country's future sporting talents are largely found at the community level.
The monarch made the appeal on Wednesday after officiating a five-a-side football match at the ongoing Wale Adeniyi Secondary School Competition in Lagos.
The match, which featured Cardoso Secondary School and Caro Favour Secondary School, formed part of the inter-school tournament aimed at discovering and nurturing young sporting talents.
Speaking after the match, Oba Oluwa said consistent investment in grassroots sports programmes would enable authorities to identify talented athletes early and strengthen the country's national teams.
"Government should look more toward the grassroots when selecting players for national teams because the talents are here," the traditional ruler said.
He commended participating students for their enthusiasm and commitment since the competition commenced on Monday, describing the tournament as a positive platform for youth development and talent discovery.
According to him, the high level of participation by both boys and girls demonstrates the growing interest of young people in sports when provided with the right opportunities and facilities.
The monarch noted that many students arrive early each day to participate in the competition, reflecting their dedication to both sporting and personal development.
He said the impressive turnout underscored the need for greater investment in school sports and regular community-based competitions across the country.
Oba Oluwa, a former football referee and sports enthusiast, said his passion for officiating inspired him to personally support the initiative.
He encouraged students who were unable to participate in the current edition not to lose hope, assuring them that the competition was conceived as an annual programme that would continue to expand.
The traditional ruler disclosed that next year's edition would accommodate more schools and participants, adding that the growing popularity of the tournament could eventually require a qualification process.
He noted that students from schools not included in this year's competition had expressed disappointment over their exclusion, a development he described as evidence of the programme's growing acceptance.
Oba Oluwa maintained that sustained grassroots sporting competitions would not only keep young people meaningfully engaged but also provide a reliable pathway for discovering future national team players.
Also speaking, the organiser of the competition and Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, praised the students for their discipline, commitment and active participation throughout the tournament.
Ntadi described the turnout as encouraging, noting that participants had consistently arrived early each morning and embraced the sporting activities with enthusiasm.
"Students arrive early every morning and participate actively, showing a desire for continuous engagement rather than occasional events," he said.
He stressed the importance of sustaining similar initiatives to promote talent development, encourage healthy lifestyles and support the holistic growth of young people.
According to him, the Wale Adeniyi Secondary School Competition was designed as a long-term initiative rather than a one-off event, expressing optimism that more schools and students would participate in subsequent editions as interest in the programme continues to grow.
The competition is expected to continue serving as a platform for identifying promising young athletes while fostering sportsmanship, teamwork and academic balance among secondary school students in Lagos.
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