The Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), in collaboration with the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, organised a skill development training programme titled “Say Yes to School Sports” in Abeokuta, Ogun State, aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development and improving talent identification in schools.
Sports247 reports that the programme focused on encouraging children’s participation in sports, improving school sports administration and equipping teachers, education officers and other sports personnel with the knowledge required to identify and nurture future athletes.
Speaking in an interview, Azeez Kalejaiye, an education officer who participated in the training, emphasised the importance of identifying sporting talents at an early age. He noted that schools have a significant role to play in creating opportunities for young people to discover and develop their abilities.
Kalejaiye stressed the need for children to be exposed to sporting activities from primary school through secondary school and university, explaining that early participation provides a foundation for future sporting opportunities. He also highlighted the importance of providing adequate sports equipment and ensuring its proper storage and maintenance to support regular training and competitions.
The training covered key areas, including the organisation of inter-house sports competitions, track and field events, officiating, competition management, child safety, talent identification, documentation and evaluation.
These areas are essential to improving the capacity of school personnel to organise sports activities and create an environment where young athletes can thrive.
Kalejaiye’s observations underscore the importance of collaboration among education officers, teachers and sports administrators in developing young talents. Through initiatives such as “Say Yes to School Sports,” schools can serve as important platforms for discovering promising athletes and preparing them for higher levels of competition.
The partnership between NSSF and Ogun SUBEB reinforces efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development through capacity building and school-based talent discovery, while encouraging wider participation and creating better opportunities for children to develop their sporting potential from an early age.
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