The privately organised championship will feature competitions in swimming, athletics, and football across three age categories — U-11, U-13, and U-15 — bringing together young athletes from across the continent in a celebration of sportsmanship and skill.
Tournament co-founder Aderoju Ope-Ajayi said the project was conceived to create pathways for young Africans to connect with professional agents, scouts, and scholarship opportunities abroad.
“For too long, opportunities for our children have been shaped by external systems. It’s time to change that,” Ope-Ajayi stated. “ASG is more than a competition; it’s about ownership, pride, and building a legacy for the next generation.”
The initiative is being championed by Dr. Seun Akinbohun, Dr. Busola Tejumola, and Aderoju Ope-Ajayi, who envision the Games as the foundation of a sustainable school sports ecosystem built on three key pillars — continental competition, talent identification, and ecosystem development.
Ope-Ajayi also took aim at Nigeria’s approach to youth sports, arguing that the country treats athletics as a mere extracurricular activity rather than an essential component of national development.
“We wait until athletes are adults before paying attention to them, and by then, many have fallen through the cracks,” she said. “In countries that dominate global sports, the work starts in schools through structured competitions, coaching investment, facilities, and talent tracking.”
Looking ahead, organisers say the Africa School Games will expand annually to include more countries, disciplines, and participating schools, with the ultimate goal of becoming Africa’s premier school sports platform — and a launching pad for the continent’s future champions.