Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, is pursuing closer sporting ties between Nigeria and Morocco, believing the relationship could create fresh pathways for young athletes across the country. His push comes ahead of the National Grassroots Sports Development Summit on November 18–19.
Nigeria-Morocco talks gather momentum
Adeboye held discussions with Morocco’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Moha Ou Ali Tagma, during a recent visit to the Moroccan Embassy in Abuja. The meeting formed part of a wider drive to secure strategic collaborations aimed at reshaping grassroots sport in Nigeria.
The presidential aide also travelled to Morocco while the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was under way, where he backed Nigeria’s Flamingos. He pointed to Morocco’s sports landscape as evidence of the benefits that can come from consistent funding, improved facilities and cooperation beyond national borders.
- Adeboye said initial conversations over potential Nigeria-Morocco cooperation have been positive.
- Further meetings are anticipated with senior figures in Moroccan sport.
- Morocco’s sports minister is among the officials expected to be involved in future engagements.
“Our recent meeting with the Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria was very productive, and my visit to Morocco has further strengthened my belief in what we can achieve through international sporting partnerships,” Adeboye said. “We are looking forward to engagements involving top Moroccan sports officials, including the sports minister, as we explore opportunities that will benefit young Nigerian athletes.”
Summit focused on practical grassroots progress
The National Grassroots Sports Development Summit will be staged at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, in Abuja. Its theme is: “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development.”
Adeboye said the gathering is intended to convert international connections into programmes capable of delivering direct benefits to emerging athletes.
- Identifying promising sporting talent
- Coaching exchange initiatives
- Development of sports facilities and infrastructure
- Youth-level competitions
- International opportunities and exposure for athletes
“We do not want international relationships that end with courtesy visits and photographs,” he added. “Our focus is on partnerships that will create real opportunities for talented boys and girls across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.”
Call for support ahead of November event
Adeboye described November 18 and 19 as significant dates for the direction of Nigerian sport, stressing that the summit will bring key stakeholders together to create workable answers rather than simply debate long-standing issues.
“November 18 and 19 are important dates for the future of Nigerian sports,” he said. “We are bringing stakeholders together not merely to discuss challenges, but to develop practical solutions and establish partnerships that can produce lasting results.”
The SSA reiterated his determination to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s objective of expanding opportunities for Nigerian young people through sport. He also called on stakeholders to back the summit and help deliver its goals.
