The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has officially launched its “Catch-Them-Young” multi-sports trials, a major step in its preparations for the 2025 National Youth Games (NYG) scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta State.
The grassroots talent discovery programme is designed to identify, nurture, and develop young athletes who will not only represent Lagos at the NYG but also form a pipeline of future champions for national and international competitions.
The ongoing trials, which began a few weeks ago across various sporting facilities in the state, span multiple disciplines including athletics (track and field), swimming, gymnastics, boxing, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, basketball, football, chess, ayo, and others. The programme is open to children aged 9 to 14 from across Lagos State.
Speaking at the venue of the athletics trials, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, highlighted the strategic importance of early talent identification in building a sustainable sports development structure.
“The ‘Catch-Them-Young’ programme represents our commitment to discovering and nurturing raw talent from the grassroots level,” Mr. Fatodu said. “We believe that every child in Lagos has the potential to become a world champion. Through this structured trial system, we are creating pathways for young athletes to turn their dreams into reality.”
He added that the initiative is not only aimed at building a strong Lagos team for the 2025 NYG but also at establishing a legacy programme that will continually feed into the state’s long-term sports development goals.
Mr. Fatodu also revealed that the Commission is exploring partnerships with international sports development organisations to provide further training and exposure for standout talents identified during the trials.
The LSSC is also placing strong emphasis on age verification and compliance with eligibility requirements, while focusing on areas where Lagos has historically excelled, and simultaneously exploring emerging potentials across all sports.
