Organisers of the 2026 Starletts Ogun State School Sports Festival have applauded the Ogun State Government, security agencies and traditional institutions for their support in making the sporting initiative a success.
The organisers gave the commendation at the grand finale of the 2026 festival, highlighting the contributions of the Ogun State Police Command, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Olowu of Owu Kingdom and key officials of the state government.
Designed to provide a competitive platform for young athletes, the festival brought schoolchildren into an organised sporting environment where they could demonstrate their abilities, build confidence and develop the discipline and teamwork required to excel both in sports and in life.
Project Coordinator, Alex Okonkwo, described the support from the various stakeholders as a major boost to the festival’s objectives, stressing that sustainable grassroots sports development requires the active participation of government institutions, community leaders and relevant organisations.
He noted that the involvement of the Ogun State Police Command helped reinforce the importance of security and public safety in delivering a successful event, while the NDLEA’s support brought added value to the festival’s youth-focused agenda, particularly in promoting drug-free lifestyles and discouraging substance abuse among young people.
The organisers also recognised the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Saka Matemilola, for his encouragement and support, describing traditional institutions as important partners in mobilising communities and advancing initiatives that positively impact the younger generation.
The state government also received commendation through its Ministries of Education and Sports for recognising the importance of integrating sporting activities into the development of schoolchildren.
According to the organisers, schools remain one of the most important starting points for identifying and nurturing sporting talents. They stressed that beyond producing future champions, school sports help young people acquire essential life skills, including leadership, discipline, teamwork and resilience.
Speaking on the broader significance of the initiative, Communication Director, Olatoye Olawale, said the festival was conceived to contribute to the long-term growth of grassroots sports by creating opportunities for young athletes to be identified and guided towards higher levels of competition.
“School sports must go beyond the organisation of competitions. They should serve as a deliberate talent development pathway, giving young people the opportunity to discover their abilities while developing the character and values that will serve them throughout life,” Olawale stated.
He added that the success of the festival underscored the need for stronger collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, traditional authorities and private-sector stakeholders in building a sustainable sports development framework.
Among the dignitaries present at the grand finale were the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, representing the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State NDLEA Commander, Tijjani Rabe, Dr. Lukman Kiadese, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, DCC Ajala Kolawole Head Of Operations, represented the Commandant NSCDC Ogun State Command, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, and Oba Dr. Adediran, Towulade of Akinale
The organisers described the festival as an important step towards repositioning school sports as a vehicle for youth development, talent discovery and community engagement.
They reaffirmed their commitment to expanding opportunities for young athletes and strengthening the foundation for the emergence of future sporting talents from Ogun State.
The Starletts Ogun State School Sports Festival is supported by Firstbank PLC as the key sponsor, while INDOMIE, Milo, Precious Pharmacy are supporting partners.
