The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has commended the Lagos State Government for its sustained investment in sporting infrastructure as preparations gather momentum for the inaugural National Intermediate Games, scheduled to hold in Lagos in September 2026.
Hon. Adeboye joined Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and other officials during an inspection of sporting facilities across the state, including the ongoing rehabilitation of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere. 
The inspection provided an opportunity to assess the level of work being undertaken ahead of the historic National Intermediate Games, an initiative of the National Sports Commission designed to strengthen the pathway between grassroots participation and elite-level sports.
Speaking after the inspection, Hon. Adeboye expressed satisfaction with the transformation taking place at Teslim Balogun Stadium, particularly the completed natural grass football pitch and the ongoing work on the tartan track and other facilities.
He described the development as significant not only for the National Intermediate Games but for the long-term future of sports in Lagos and Nigeria.
“What we are seeing here is more than preparation for a competition. It is an investment in the future of Nigerian sports. When you provide young athletes with quality facilities, you give them the opportunity to discover their abilities, develop confidence and compete at a higher level.”
The Presidential aide commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for sustaining attention on sports infrastructure across Lagos, noting that the rehabilitation of facilities in Surulere, Agege, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry and other parts of the state is consistent with the broader objective of taking sports development closer to the people.
He particularly welcomed the governor’s emphasis on providing young people with functional sporting facilities within their communities.
“Grassroots sports cannot thrive without infrastructure. This is why the investment Lagos is making is extremely important. The journey to producing an Olympian, a Commonwealth champion or a world champion often begins with a simple facility within a community.”
Hon. Adeboye also noted that the National Intermediate Games represents an important addition to Nigeria’s sports development architecture, providing a structured platform for young athletes who have progressed beyond basic grassroots competitions but are yet to fully enter the elite sporting system.
According to him, the Games will help identify emerging talents, expose them to higher levels of competition and create a clearer pathway into national teams and other elite programmes.
He further praised the leadership of the National Sports Commission, under Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, for introducing initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s sporting pipeline.
The SSA expressed confidence that Lagos, with its experience in hosting major sporting events and its expanding sports infrastructure, would provide an excellent environment for the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games.
He added that the collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State demonstrates the importance of partnerships between different levels of government in achieving sustainable sports development.
“This is exactly the kind of collaboration we need. The Federal Government cannot do it alone, and the states cannot do it alone. When we come together, we can create a stronger system for discovering, nurturing and retaining our young talents.”
Hon. Adeboye stressed that the Federal Government’s grassroots sports development agenda places infrastructure, talent identification, youth participation and access to sporting opportunities at the heart of its strategy.
He said the ultimate objective is to ensure that talented young Nigerians, regardless of their location or background, have a genuine opportunity to progress from community sport to national and international competition.
With rehabilitation work continuing at Teslim Balogun Stadium and upgrades ongoing at other sporting facilities across Lagos, Hon. Adeboye expressed optimism that the state would be fully prepared to welcome athletes from across the country for what is expected to become an important new chapter in Nigeria’s talent-development pathway.
“The National Intermediate Games is not just about winning medals. It is about building the next generation. And if we get the foundation right, the champions will come.”
