The Agege Stadium Indoor Sports Hall came alive over four days as young athletes from across the country showcased their skills in the Obasa Games, highlighting the untapped potential of grassroots sports in Nigeria.
In his closing remarks, Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, emphasized the importance of increased funding for grassroots sports, noting that events like the Obasa Games reveal the abundance of young talent waiting to be nurtured.
One of the standout moments came from 14-year-old Abdulsalam Abdulateef, who dazzled in the U15 table tennis category with an unbeaten run to the finals but narrowly missed out on the gold. Similarly, an 11-year-old chess prodigy made it to the semi-finals, signaling a bright future for Nigeria’s sports scene.
In the boxing ring, Sulaimon Yekini and Wasiu Ganiyat were crowned King and Queen of the ring in the 52kg category, each earning N250,000 in prize money.
Table tennis saw thrilling matchups, with Adebakin Tobi triumphing in the U19 boys’ final against Okiki Ogunsakin, while Semilore Kehinde secured the U19 boys’ title. In the U19 girls’ category, Aishat Rabiu emerged victorious. Each winner received N250,000. Musibau Fausat also shone in the U15 girls’ category, taking home the same amount.
The chess competition awarded its highest prize of N500,000 to Ayodele Stephen Damilola, followed by Okani Miracle and Chukwuka Stephen, who earned N300,000 and N200,000, respectively.
Scrabble players also had their moment, with Alayode Israel crowned champion and receiving N400,000, while Akinbami Titilayo and Ogunnaike David took N300,000 and N100,000, respectively.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Obasa remarked, *“Over the past four days, these athletes have shared many unforgettable moments, showing their zeal to become champions. The Obasa Games have demonstrated that grassroots sports are filled with talented individuals waiting to be discovered. We are committed to raising the bar in future editions.”*
The event, which awarded substantial cash prizes to winners, underscored the role of grassroots competitions in fostering Nigeria’s next generation of sports stars.
