No fewer than 20 schools are set to participate in the third edition of the Athletics School Games (TASG), a grassroots athletics competition for school children scheduled to hold in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2026 edition of the competition will take place from March 20 to March 21 at the sports complex of Yaba College of Technology.

Seun Akinbohun, President of TASG, said in a statement on Wednesday that the competition, designed for children aged between four and 16, will feature participating schools competing in sprint races, middle-distance races and field events.

Akinbohun said the initiative, which began in 2024 and is registered with World Athletics, had continued to attract increasing participation from schools.

He noted that the third edition would introduce an expanded format aimed at improving athlete development and the overall competition structure.

“For the first time, primary school events will be separated from secondary school contests to allow for more races, better scheduling and improved recovery time for young athletes.

“Technical officiating, timing systems and event coordination have also been upgraded to meet higher standards,” he said.

Akinbohun said the games would provide a platform for talent discovery and exposure for young athletes while also promoting sportsmanship and character development among participating schools.

According to him, the Kashopefoluwa Sportsmanship Award will be presented to athletes and schools that demonstrate integrity, discipline and respect during the competition.

He, however, noted that the event had faced challenges, particularly in funding and sponsorship, with much of the competition being self-financed.

He added that infrastructure limitations also remained a concern, as equipment and venues were often independently sourced.

Akinbohun said the project had continued to grow, with each edition recording improvements in organisation and participation from schools in spite of the challenges.

“The unique part of the 2026 edition include the introduction of new events such as the 400m hurdles in the senior secondary category, improved officiating and increased participation from schools.

“The games remain strictly schools-based, with clubs and academies excluded in order to strengthen inter-school sports programmes,” he added. (NAN)

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