AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has promised to transform Nigeria into a global sports hub and ensure qualification for every FIFA World Cup during an eight-year presidency. Speaking after participating in the Enugu City International Marathon, he called for stronger sports administration, better infrastructure, support for athletes and investment in disciplines beyond football. Sowore also described the sports economy as a major opportunity for job creation, youth development and revenue generation outside the oil sector.
African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has pledged that Nigeria would qualify for every FIFA World Cup held during his proposed eight-year tenure if he is elected president.
Sowore made the promise in Enugu on Saturday while taking part in the 2026 Enugu City International Marathon, where he competed in the 10-kilometre race for the second time. He said his participation reflected his support for sporting events that promote fitness, community interaction and youth development. Sowore also praised the organisation of the Enugu race, explaining that he returned after being impressed by the quality of the previous edition.
He encouraged all Nigerian states to organise road races and similar competitions as part of efforts to improve public health and strengthen community involvement. The AAC candidate said Nigeria should treat sports as a major area of national development rather than limiting attention to football or relying on occasional international success. He noted that a 10-kilometre event is not a full marathon, which covers 42 kilometres, while a half marathon covers 21 kilometres.
According to him, road races and other sporting activities can encourage healthier lifestyles, bring communities together and create a link between sports and culture. He added that organised sports can help young Nigerians become international ambassadors while opening opportunities for employment, tourism, investment and business growth. Sowore described the sports economy, sometimes referred to as the orange economy, as an underdeveloped source of revenue that could eventually generate more income than oil if properly managed.
He pointed to Brazil as an example of a country that has gained substantial benefits from football and cited Kenya’s achievements in long-distance running as evidence of what focused investment can accomplish. He questioned why Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million people and a large pool of athletic talent, has not become a leading force in long-distance races.
He also disclosed that he is a swimmer, stressing that his proposed approach would cover every sporting discipline rather than focusing on a single game. The presidential candidate criticised the administration of sports in Nigeria, especially the management of football. He argued that the country has enough talent to compete successfully at the highest level but has repeatedly lost opportunities because of weak administration, poor planning and insufficient support for athletes.
He called Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup unacceptable and promised to establish a system that would deliver regular qualification. Sowore said a government led by him would appoint competent sports administrators, identify promising athletes and provide the infrastructure, coaching, funding and institutional support needed for them to excel. He further linked sports development to his broader economic plans, saying investment in athletics, football and other disciplines could create jobs and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenue.
His administration, he said, would provide an environment in which athletes, coaches, organisers and sports businesses could grow. Sowore’s appearance at the Enugu marathon formed part of his wider engagement with communities across the country. He maintained that regular sporting events should become a central feature of state development programmes, helping residents remain active while giving young people opportunities to participate, compete and build careers.
He said a coordinated national sports strategy could improve Nigeria’s international reputation and turn its large youth population into a productive force in the global sports industry
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Omoyele Sowore African Action Congress Nigeria Sports Development FIFA World Cup Qualification Enugu City International Marathon
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