The National Institute for Sports (NIS) on Monday engaged over 100 young athletes and coaches in Ogun State through a one-day intensive training and coaching clinic at Gateway International, Sagamu.

The initiative, themed “Training and Coaching Clinic in Soccer for Grassroots Sports Development in Ogun State”, was organized in partnership with Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi.

Leading the NIS delegation, Director General and CEO Comrade Philip Shaibu described the programme as a strategic intervention aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Mr. President has made it clear that Nigerian youths must be empowered, engaged, and positioned to succeed. Sports is one of the strongest platforms to achieve that vision,” Shaibu said. “Through structured grassroots development like this, we are giving young people real opportunities to build careers, create wealth, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

Students from various schools and sports academies, alongside their coaches, participated in the seminar designed to strengthen technical capacity, nurture talent, and reposition grassroots sports for sustainable growth.

Shaibu emphasized that sports is no longer just entertainment but a global industry worth over $60 billion. “Nigeria has the talent to tap into this enormous opportunity,” he said, noting that many participants aspire to professional careers in basketball in the U.S. and football in top European leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.

He lauded Senator Yayi for his unwavering support for youth-focused initiatives, highlighting that similar NIS programmes have been conducted across the South-West and nationwide.

Representing the Senator, Chief Segun Ojolowo-Ojuko explained that although the lawmaker was engaged in official duties in Abuja, he remains committed to youth development. “This is not the first coaching clinic. Similar programmes have been held in Ibadan and Lagos, and more are planned across Ogun State,” he said.

Ogun State basketball chief coach Jonathan Fagbemi described the initiative as timely and impactful, while Mrs. Kehinde Oladesu, a teacher from Ansar Ud Deen Comprehensive College, Ota, praised the programme for including school children in structured sports development.

The seminar concluded with the distribution of complete football and basketball kits to the participating youths, while coaches received training balls to support ongoing practice in their schools and academies.

Top NIS officials present included Dr. Mike Majoroh (Consultant), Dr. Joy Maiyaki (Acting Head of Coaching), Coach Iorsue Jeremiah Kuhwa (Football), Coach Lidah Taye Mary (Basketball), and Coach Adamu Bello (Fitness Coach), among others.