CitySports Africa, a Nigerian sports development organization, is poised to elevate young Nigerian athletes onto the global stage through its 2025 Global Sports Programme. This initiative will see budding talents compete in prestigious international tournaments across Europe and the Middle East, providing them with invaluable exposure and experience against their international counterparts. The program’s overarching goal is to nurture the next generation of Nigerian sports stars, fostering their athletic prowess while simultaneously instilling crucial life skills such as leadership, discipline, and resilience. The program underscores CitySports Africa’s commitment to youth development and its vision of impacting millions of young lives through sports.
The 2025 Global Sports Programme encompasses a diverse array of sporting disciplines, including football, swimming, and basketball. The young footballers, categorized into U9, U12, and U15 age groups, will participate in the Schwabenland Cup, a renowned tournament held in Stuttgart, Germany. This competition attracts over 120 teams from across Europe, ensuring a high level of competition and providing each participating team with a minimum of six matches. This intensive match schedule will allow the Nigerian athletes to hone their skills, test their tactical acumen, and gain valuable experience against diverse playing styles. The tournament serves as a crucial platform for these young players to gauge their abilities on an international stage and learn from their European peers.
Aspiring swimmers aged between 7 and 17 will showcase their talents at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This international swimming competition attracts over 800 participants from around the globe, creating a vibrant atmosphere of athleticism and cultural exchange. The Nigerian swimmers will compete across various disciplines, including butterfly, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and relays. The competition offers a significant opportunity for them to refine their technique, improve their personal best times, and gain invaluable experience competing against a diverse and talented international field. The experience will not only improve their swimming prowess but also expose them to diverse cultures and build their confidence in international settings.
Rounding out the Global Sports Programme, young basketball players will compete in the Barcelona Basketball Cup in Spain. The tournament will feature teams in the U12 and U16 categories for both boys and girls, providing a platform for them to showcase their skills and compete against their international peers. The Barcelona Basketball Cup offers a dynamic and competitive environment where the Nigerian athletes can test their mettle, develop teamwork, and learn from different playing styles. The experience in Barcelona will contribute significantly to their overall development as basketball players and expose them to the rich sporting culture of Spain.
In preparation for these international tournaments, the CitySports Africa teams have embarked on rigorous training regimes. The football teams, under the guidance of Coach Bamidele Nurudeen, train four times a week, focusing on developing speed, stamina, and endurance. These targeted training sessions aim to equip the players with the physical attributes necessary to compete at a high level and endure the demands of multiple matches in a short period. The training program also emphasizes tactical awareness, passing accuracy, and finishing skills, ensuring a holistic approach to player development.
Beyond the technical aspects of sport, the coaching staff at CitySports Africa places significant emphasis on character development. Swimming coach Kolawole Ogunsemore believes that international competition is not solely about winning but also about nurturing essential life skills. Participating in these tournaments provides the athletes with an opportunity to develop leadership qualities, learn the importance of teamwork, and cultivate a strong sense of discipline and resilience. The experience of competing against international athletes, facing challenges, and striving for excellence instills in them valuable character traits that extend beyond the sporting arena.
CitySports Africa’s Global Sports Programme aligns perfectly with the organization’s overarching mission to empower Nigerian youth through sports. Founded in 2019, CitySports Africa aims to impact 10 million youths by 2035 through a range of sports development programmes designed for children aged 4-22. The organization recognizes the transformative power of sports, not only in developing athletic talent but also in fostering essential life skills and promoting positive youth development. By providing opportunities for young athletes to compete on the global stage, CitySports Africa is investing in the future of Nigerian sports and nurturing the next generation of leaders both on and off the field. The Global Sports Programme exemplifies the organization’s commitment to providing high-quality sports training, promoting character development, and creating pathways for young Nigerians to excel in sports and life.
