Nathaniel Idowu Summer Camp ends on high note

More than 500 children gathered with 200 parents in Lagos as the 2026 Nathaniel Idowu Summer Camp concluded after four weeks of sport, mentorship and character-building activities.

Peakline Sports World Ltd organised the camp with support from the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation at the New Maracana Sports Complex in Tolu. Twenty certified coaches and seven ad-hoc staff supervised the programme, which provided meals, medical support and transport allowances for participating children.

Yemi Idowu, founder of the foundation, said the camp aimed to give children in Ajegunle an opportunity to develop through sport. “When we started this, we wanted to give children in Ajegunle hope through sport,” he said. “Seeing 500 kids here today, and parents supporting them, tells me we are on the right track. This is not a one-off. We are resolved to continue building talents from the ground up.”

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When we started this, we wanted to give children in Ajegunle hope through sport. Seeing 500 kids here today, and parents supporting them, tells me we are on the right track. This is not a one-off. We are resolved to continue building talents from the ground up.

Basketball featured at the closing ceremony, and Idowu promised to build a new court at the Maracana Sports Complex. “We saw the passion in our basketball kids. They deserve a court of their own right here. The Foundation will make it happen so that training does not stop after camp,” he said.

The foundation also inducted 32 new female players into its Let Her Play project. They will join 30 girls already training through the foundation’s long-term talent programme. In addition, 300 standout participants were selected for weekend sessions.

US-based Gear ’em Up, run by Khadija and Marvelous, supplied kits for the children. Parents praised the organisers for free registration, coaching, meals, medical support and transport assistance. Organisers said they would continue using sport to promote discipline, education and inclusion among children in Lagos.

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We saw the passion in our basketball kids. They deserve a court of their own right here. The Foundation will make it happen so that training does not stop after camp.