BREAKING NEWS:
First-Ever World Kolokun Goat Chasing Competition Debuts in Ondo State
Ondo State, Nigeria
– May 13, 2026
– The inaugural edition of the World Kolokun Goat Chasing Competition made a historic debut on May 2, 2026, at the Ondo State Sports Stadium, drawing thousands of spectators as part of the annual Asun Carnival celebration in Ondo State.
The unique sporting and cultural event, founded by renowned tourism promoter and convener of the Asun Carnival, Olawanle Akinboboye, was created to engage and empower young people while promoting entertainment, cultural heritage, and community participation.
Speaking during a world press conference held ahead of the competition at the Ondo State Sports Stadium, Akinboboye explained that the idea behind Kolokun was inspired by the cultural and economic significance of goats within the Ondo community.
According to him, goats are not only valuable for consumption but can also serve as a source of entertainment and youth engagement. He noted that the Kolokun competition is deeply connected to the annual Asun Carnival because Asun — the famous spicy smoked goat meat delicacy — traces its origin to the Ondo people of Southwest Nigeria.
The event attracted an estimated crowd of over 40,000 spectators, who gathered to witness the energetic and entertaining competition. Contestants lined up at one end of the pitch while goats were released several metres ahead, triggering an intense chase that thrilled spectators throughout the stadium.
The competition featured male and female categories, with participants racing after agile goats that dodged and maneuvered across the field amid loud cheers from the audience.
At the end of the contest, winners emerged in both categories. Akinnifesi Temidayo won the Male Category, while Precious Ngozi emerged victorious in the Female Category. Winners received goats valued at approximately N150,000 each as prizes. The children’s category was later nullified.
Akinboboye described the reward as both symbolic and economically beneficial, particularly for young participants who could leverage the prize for education, business, or personal development.
He further revealed plans to expand the competition in subsequent editions, noting that the number of goats used during the event would increase from ten to twenty next year. He also projected that attendance could exceed 100,000 spectators during future editions of the Asun Carnival and Kolokun competition.
According to him, the initiative is expected to stimulate commercial interest in goat rearing, create opportunities for food vendors and local businesses, and boost hospitality and tourism activities across Ondo State.
Akinboboye compared the vision for Kolokun to Spain’s globally recognized “Running of the Bulls” festival, expressing confidence that the Ondo-based competition would soon become an internationally celebrated cultural and sporting attraction.
“The Kolokun goat chasing competition in Ondo will certainly grow into a globally recognized event,” he stated.
The Asun Carnival continues to position Ondo State as a growing hub for cultural tourism, entertainment, and youth-driven initiatives in Nigeria.
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