~Willy Okonji Lagos-
After five years of positively transforming young lives through sports across Nigeria, City Sports Africa is now setting its sights on the entire continent. The ambitious plan to expand operations across Africa was revealed at a press conference, where City Sports Africa executives reflected on their achievements and outlined their vision for the next decade.
City Sports Africa CEO, Shola Opaleye, spoke passionately about the journey so far. “We now develop talent at three major levels: grassroots, academy, and professional. We launched the City Sports Football Club, playing in the NLO 1, Division 3 of the Nigerian league. This means we offer opportunities for those wanting to pursue football all the way to signing professional contracts abroad.”
Reflecting on the past five years, Opaleye noted the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but emphasized the company’s resilience. “Looking back, we went through two years of Covid, but here we are, still standing strong. We’re celebrating five years, but even more importantly, we’re excited about the next 10.”
He then shared the company’s ambitious goals: “In the next decade, we’re aiming to reach 10 million youths—1 million each year. We’ve seen requests from countries like Ghana, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe. The need for our programs is continental, but we’re taking it one step at a time.”
Opaleye also highlighted City Sports’ commitment to more than just football, “Through our community programs, we meet with a thousand youth every weekend, scouting talent and engaging them. But it’s not just about football; we offer vocational training, scholarships, and more to help them find purpose. Starting in 2025, we aim to multiply this effort.”
Destiny Agbanimu, City Sports Africa’s events promoter, discussed the financial challenges ahead. “Achieving this goal is tough, but we’ve got good people and strategic partners across Africa. We’re raising funds from private and public institutions to use sports as a tool for peace and development. We need support from across Africa—and globally.”
Amaka Madubuko, City Sports Africa’s client service officer, reflected on the company’s growth, “City Sports started in December 2019 with just football and 15 students. In five years, we’ve served over a thousand students across five sports—football, basketball, swimming, tennis, and athletics. Our performance academy prepares students for collegiate scholarships or professional contracts, and our talent trials help individuals assess their skill levels.”
While the future remains uncertain, the achievements of the past five years suggest that City Sports Africa’s continental expansion is only just beginning. With a clear vision and solid foundations, the next decade promises to be transformative.
