By Jacob Ajom

The streets of Fadeyi, in Lagos, wore a different look on Friday as children, families, and community leaders converged for the Summer Game 2026, a colourful outing tagged “Back to School Kids Ride.” The event, organized by FT Cycle Care in partnership with the Velong Community, turned the neighbourhood into a playground of laughter, competition, and camaraderie, as young ones traded the rough edges of street life for an afternoon of organized sport and structured fun.
From cycling races to running contests and water games, the streets of Fadeyi pulsed with energy rarely seen on an ordinary weekday. Children who might otherwise have spent their time navigating the area’s notoriously rugged terrain instead found themselves lined up at starting points, helmets on, eyes fixed on the finish line, and for a few hours, the neighbourhood became something closer to a stadium than a street.
CATCHING THEM YOUNG
Organizers were clear about the philosophy driving the initiative. With Fadeyi streets long known for being difficult and, at times, unsafe for children at play, FT Cycle Care and Velong Community say the only sustainable answer is to intervene early.
“We know the street is too rugged, and we have to catch them young,” organizers said, explaining that the goal extends beyond a single afternoon of games. It is about instilling discipline, sportsmanship, and a sense of belonging in children who will one day inherit these same streets.
This approach reflects a growing recognition among grassroots community organizers that sport is not merely recreation. It is a tool for shaping character, building resilience, and giving young people a constructive outlet in environments where such outlets are often scarce.
A TRADITION, NOT A ONE-OFF
Residents were quick to point out that this year’s edition was not an isolated event but part of a continuing tradition. Community members publicly thanked FT Cycle Care for once again pulling the event together, a gesture many said reflects consistency and genuine commitment to the welfare of Fadeyi’s children rather than a one-time publicity effort.
That continuity was reinforced by the visible presence of the Community Development Association (CDA), whose participation lent the event both structure and legitimacy. CDA representatives commended the programme’s design and its adaptability to the community’s needs, noting that initiatives of this nature are most effective when they are repeatable, scalable, and rooted in local ownership. There were calls from the CDA for the Back to School Kids Ride to be sustained as an annual fixture on the community calendar, rather than treated as a seasonal novelty.
REWARDING THE CHAMPIONS
As the games wound down, the true spirit of the day came alive: the children who had cycled, run, and splashed their way through the competitions were rewarded with gift items, a gesture that drew wide smiles and applause from parents and onlookers. For many of the children, the recognition was as memorable as the competition itself, a tangible reminder that their effort and energy mattered
A CALL TO ACTION
But organizers insist the story cannot end with one successful afternoon. FT Cycle Care is now issuing an open and urgent appeal, to private individuals, corporate organizations, and government agencies alike, to step forward and support this growing initiative.
The message is simple but powerful: every bicycle donated, every naira contributed, and every partnership formed is an investment in a healthier, more disciplined, and more united generation. In a city where children too often lack safe spaces to play, FT Cycle Care and Velong Community have shown what is possible when a community decides to reclaim its streets, not through force, but through sport, unity, and purpose.
The organizers’ call is direct: Lagos does not need to wait for tragedy to invest in its children. The time to act is now, while there are still young minds ready to rally behind them. Individuals with resources, corporate bodies seeking meaningful CSR impact, and government agencies committed to youth development are all invited to partner with FT Cycle Care and the Velong Community, to fund, sponsor, and sustain this initiative for years to come.
Because when a child learns to ride today, a community secures its future tomorrow.