The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeyinka, has called for stronger Nigeria–Italy collaboration in sports, particularly in the areas of grassroots talent development, youth empowerment, sports education and international opportunities for young Nigerian athletes.
The SSA made the call during a working visit to the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Roberto Mengoni, where both sides engaged in discussions on how strategic partnerships could contribute to the development of Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
The meeting provided an opportunity to explore areas of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on creating meaningful pathways through which talented young Nigerians can gain international exposure, access technical opportunities and connect with institutions and sporting structures in Italy.
According to Adeboye, the development of grassroots sports must go beyond discovering talented athletes. It must also create the right environment, networks and international partnerships capable of helping those talents reach their full potential.
“Our responsibility at the grassroots is not only to discover talents but to create pathways for those talents to grow, compete and succeed. International partnerships can provide our young athletes with opportunities that complement what we are building at home.”
He noted that Italy’s experience and global sporting ecosystem provide opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in talent development, coaching, sports management, sports science, youth programmes and athlete exchange.
The SSA stressed that such engagements are consistent with the Federal Government’s broader commitment to reposition grassroots sports as a sustainable pathway for youth development and national growth.
“Nigeria has an abundance of young sporting talents. What we need is to connect that talent with the right opportunities, expertise and global platforms. This is why partnerships such as this are important to the future of Nigerian sports.”
Adeboye expressed appreciation to Ambassador Mengoni for the warm reception and the willingness to explore areas of collaboration that could strengthen sporting relations between both countries.
He further reaffirmed his office’s commitment to building partnerships with international governments, sporting institutions, private organisations and development partners in order to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
The SSA said the objective is to ensure that grassroots athletes are not only discovered but are given a genuine pathway from community sport to national, continental and international competition.
“The future of Nigerian sports is in our young people. Our job is to build the bridges that will take them from the grassroots to the world.”
The engagement with the Italian Ambassador forms part of the SSA’s continuing efforts to broaden international partnerships and attract new opportunities, knowledge and investment into Nigeria’s grassroots sports development agenda.
