The President of the Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe (OON), has officially endorsed the highly anticipated South West Games 2025 (SWG 2025), lauding the initiative as a revolutionary platform for sports development, youth empowerment, and regional unity. In a glowing letter of endorsement, the former Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Commission (NTDC) commended the tournament’s organizers for their visionary efforts in bringing the event to life.
“I write to sincerely commend the Organising Committee of the South West Games (SWG 2025) for the vision and the painstaking efforts in organising the first edition of the Games. I also wish to convey to the Committee my full support and goodwill,” Runsewe stated in his letter.
The South West Games 2025, scheduled for March next year, is set to bring together 1,200 athletes and 120 officials from all six South West states, creating an electrifying sporting spectacle. Runsewe described the tournament as an avenue that would not only foster unity and friendship among the participating states but also strengthen the traditional bond that has long existed within the South West region of Nigeria.
Runsewe highlighted the tournament’s potential in making the South West region a hub for sports excellence and tourism, reinforcing the broader vision of positioning Nigeria as a global sports powerhouse.
“In addition to providing an ample opportunity for talent discovery, it will also make the South West a formidable hub in sports and sports tourism, facilitate and boost the development of sports in Nigeria,” he stated.
At the heart of the tournament is the flagship sub-event, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Alliance Games (BATAG), which aims to spotlight the best young talents under the age of 18. This five-day competition will see young athletes from the six South West states compete in seven sporting disciplines, making it a breeding ground for future champions.
Runsewe’s endorsement further underlines his deep-rooted belief in the power of sports to drive national development, economic growth, and social cohesion. “I am particularly excited by the innovative idea of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Alliance Games (BATAG), a flagship sub-tournament of the Games designed to showcase the region’s most talented under-18 athletes. With athletes from the six states of the South West engaging in seven competitive events for five days, the programme promises to be a remarkable avenue for the discovery of young, talented sportsmen and women that will drive the development of sports and sports tourism in Nigeria,” he stated.
The NGF President emphasized that BATAG would not only facilitate healthy competition but also foster the exchange of ideas and enhance youth empowerment, which would contribute to the socio-economic growth of both the South West region and Nigeria as a whole.
As an avid supporter of youth empowerment, Runsewe reaffirmed his commitment to the Games, emphasizing the importance of sports in curbing youth restiveness and uniting communities.
“As a major stakeholder and key player who has remained consistent and passionate in the development of the sectors for decades, I am fully aware of the role of sports in promoting youth empowerment, mitigating youth restiveness, and showcasing our cultural strength and diversity as a nation,” he noted.
Runsewe further described the NGF’s partnership with the South West Games as a natural alliance, reiterating his full endorsement of the initiative: “As the current president of the Nigeria Golf Federation, I am proud to state that the Federation has found in the SWG, a formidable ally in the task of using sports as a cornerstone for building a greater Nigerian nation. It is on the strength of this that I give my full support and endorsement to this brilliant initiative.”
Runsewe’s endorsement adds to the growing list of influential figures who have thrown their weight behind the South West Games 2025. Recently, former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, also pledged his support for the Games, hailing it as a timely initiative that would help to revive grassroots sports development in the region.
Pinnick, a passionate advocate for sports advancement, commended the organizers for their foresight in launching such a monumental sporting festival. He emphasized that the Games would serve as a springboard for young talents, providing them with the exposure and competitive platform needed to excel on national and international stages.
Pinnick’s endorsement comes at the heel of similar gestures by the Director General (DG) of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the Director General (DG), Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu.
With key figures such as Runsewe, Pinnick, Olopade and Fatodu among others, rallying behind the South West Games, the tournament is set to make an indelible impact on Nigeria’s sporting landscape. Their endorsements signal confidence in the event’s capacity to drive sports excellence, youth development, and regional unity.
With less than a month to go, preparations for the South West Games 2025 are in full swing. Organizers have reiterated their commitment to delivering a world-class sporting event that will showcase the depth of talent within the region. The tournament’s impact is expected to extend beyond sports, fostering socio-economic growth and enhancing the region’s tourism potential.
As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on the South West Games 2025 to deliver a spectacle that will be remembered for years to come. With the backing of industry heavyweights and sports administrators, the tournament is poised to elevate Nigeria’s sports ecosystem and inspire a new generation of champions.
For now, the endorsement of Otunba Olusegun Runsewe serves as yet another validation of the South West Games 2025 as a landmark event that will redefine sports and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
