Athletics Heat Marks 10 Years as Founder Oguma Seeks Increased Corporate Investment
Oru Leonard
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Athletics Heat Meet, Ese Oguma, has called on corporate organisations and private-sector investors to increase their support for Nigerian athletics, stressing that the country is blessed with exceptional talents deserving of greater recognition and investment.
Oguma made the call as Athletics Heat Meet celebrated its 10th anniversary on Saturday, November 7, 2026, in Lagos, reflecting on the journey of the competition and its contributions to the development of athletics in Nigeria.
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, Oguma explained that Athletics Heat Meet was initially established to provide Nigerian athletes with an additional competitive platform ahead of the National Sports Festival.
He noted that what started as an opportunity for athletes to test their abilities has evolved into a broader platform for celebrating sporting excellence, rewarding outstanding performances and promoting Nigerian athletics.
“I really just wanted to give a platform for athletes to compete before the National Sports Festival. That was why I put this event in November. That was the idea,” he said.
Oguma, who is also a former athlete, said his personal experience in the sport had continued to influence his commitment to creating opportunities for emerging talents and showcasing Nigerian athletes to the international community.
“First of all, I’m an athlete. So my own idea is just to celebrate athletes and put them on the world stage as much as I can,” he stated.
He described the 10th anniversary as a significant milestone, providing an opportunity to reflect on a decade of dedication to athletics, celebrate achievements and inspire more people to contribute to sports development.
The Athletics Heat founder emphasised that investment in sports should not be viewed exclusively as a government responsibility, urging individuals and organisations with the capacity to support athletes to demonstrate greater commitment.
He particularly appealed to corporate Nigeria to recognise the commercial and developmental potential of athletics by providing sponsorship, financial support and other opportunities that would enable athletes to develop sustainable careers.
“These are great talents that need to be recognised, and we need more money and more corporate sponsors for us, definitely,” he said.
On the relationship between Athletics Heat Meet and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Oguma described the federation’s support as encouraging and consistent, noting that its approval of the competition had contributed significantly to its growth and credibility.
“Having this event, first of all, has to be approved by Athletics and also the event. So that alone was a great support for us, and I think that support is consistent,” he added.
He expressed optimism that the competition’s decade-long journey would encourage more Nigerians, private organisations and corporate institutions to identify opportunities for supporting athletes and strengthening the country’s athletics ecosystem.
As Nigerian sports continues to seek sustainable funding beyond government allocations, the call for increased private-sector participation has become increasingly important in expanding competitive opportunities, improving athlete welfare and developing talents capable of representing the country internationally.
For Oguma, the biggest achievement of Athletics Heat Meet goes beyond medals, prize money and competition. It lies in building a platform that recognises athletes, celebrates their achievements and inspires a culture of sustained investment in Nigerian athletics.
The 10th anniversary therefore marks not only a celebration of the competition’s achievements but also a renewed call for stronger partnerships between sports organisers, government, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to secure the future of athletics in Nigeria.
(Chairman, Media Committee, AFN)
