Over 20 Schools to Compete in 3rd Athletics School Games in Lagos

No fewer than 20 schools will participate in the third edition of the Athletics School Games (TASG), a grassroots athletics competition for school children scheduled to hold in Lagos.

The two-day competition will take place from March 20 to March 21 at the sports complex of Yaba College of Technology.

President of TASG, Seun Akinbohun, said in a statement on Wednesday that the competition is designed for children aged between four and 16.

According to him, participating schools will compete in sprint races, middle-distance races and several field events as part of the programme.

Akinbohun noted that the initiative, which started in 2024 and is registered with World Athletics, has continued to attract growing participation from schools.

He explained that the 2026 edition will introduce an expanded format aimed at improving athlete development and the overall structure of the competition.

“For the first time, primary school events will be separated from secondary school contests to allow for more races, better scheduling and improved recovery time for young athletes,” he said.

He added that technical officiating, timing systems and event coordination had also been upgraded to meet higher standards.

Akinbohun said the games would serve as a platform for discovering young talents while promoting sportsmanship and character development among school children.

He added that the Kashopefoluwa Sportsmanship Award would be presented to athletes and schools that demonstrate integrity, discipline and respect during the competition.

The TASG president, however, acknowledged challenges facing the event, particularly in funding and sponsorship, noting that the competition has largely been self-financed.

He also pointed out infrastructure constraints, including the sourcing of equipment and venues, but said the project has continued to grow with improved organisation and increased school participation.

According to him, new events such as the 400m hurdles in the senior secondary category will also be introduced in the 2026 edition, while the games will remain strictly schools-based, excluding clubs and academies to strengthen inter-school sports development.