WASA Sports: Traditional ruler urges grassroots-based team selection
Lagos, July 29, 2026, Traditional ruler, Olu of Iwa, Apapa, Lagos State, Oba Moroof Oluwa, has urged the government to prioritise grassroots sports persons during national team selections to represent Nigeria.
The traditional ruler made the call on Wednesday after officiating a five-a-side football match during the Wale Adeniyi Secondary School competition in Lagos.
The match featured students from Cardoso Secondary School and Caro Favour Secondary School as part of the inter-school tournament.
Oba Oluwa said sustained grassroots sports programmes would help authorities discover talented players and strengthen national team development.
“Government should look more toward the grassroots when selecting players for national teams because the talents are here,” he said.
He commended students for their enthusiasm since the competition began on Monday, describing the tournament as an eye-opener for youth development.
According to him, boys and girls have shown strong interest in using sporting facilities and participating actively in daily activities.
He noted that many students arrive early at the venue, demonstrating commitment to both sporting and educational development.
during day-three of the Wale Adeniyi Secondary School Sport competition on Wednesday in Apapa, Lagos
He said the impressive turnout justified greater investment in youth sports and regular structured competitions at community level.
Oluwa, a former referee and sports enthusiast, said his passion for officiating motivated him to support the initiative personally.
He encouraged students yet to participate to join future editions, stressing that the competition was conceived as a long-term programme.
The royal father assured participants that next year’s edition would accommodate more schools and students across the community.
He added that growing interest could eventually make qualification necessary due to expected demand from schools and young athletes.
Oluwa said many spectators from non-participating schools had expressed disappointment at being excluded from the current edition.
He maintained that sustained grassroots competitions would create opportunities for youth engagement and help identify future national team players.
The organiser and Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, also praised students for their commitment and discipline.
Ntadi described the turnout as impressive and said students had responded positively to the sporting opportunities provided.
“Students arrive early every morning and participate actively, showing a desire for continuous engagement rather than occasional events,” he said.
Students playing in inter schools chess competition at the ongoing Wale Adeniyi Secondary school competition on Wednesday in Lagos
He stressed that stakeholders should sustain similar initiatives to promote talent development and encourage balanced growth among students.
Ntadi said the competition was designed as an ongoing initiative and not a one-off event.
He added that more schools and participants were expected in future editions as interest in the programme continues to grow