He Saw What Sports Could Really Do. So He Built an Entire Ecosystem Around It
For most people, sports is something you watch or play. For Dr. Suraj Ola Abdulwahab, it has always been something much bigger than that.
When Glostarep sat down with the sports innovator, social entrepreneur, and community development advocate, what emerged was a picture of someone who has spent his entire life building at the intersection of athletics, education, and human potential, long before it was a talking point.
Through the TEWORH Children and Youth Foundation, TEWORH Rockstar Academy, and the TEWORH Sports and Skill Centre, Dr. Suraj has been quietly constructing something the sports world often overlooks, a structured pathway for young people to grow not just as athletes, but as thinkers, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
His argument is simple but urgent: sports is not just entertainment. It is an ecosystem. And right now, most communities are leaving its full value on the table.
This is his story, in his own words.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Dr. Suraj Ola Abdulwahab, a sports innovator, social entrepreneur, and community development advocate. I am passionate about using sports as a tool for youth empowerment, leadership development, and sustainable social impact.
I am the founder of the TEWORH Children and Youth Foundation, TEWORH Rockstar Academy, and the TEWORH Sports and Skill Centre. Through these initiatives, we focus on athlete development, sports education, community engagement, and creating opportunities for young people to grow both on and off the field.
What problem are you solving with your work, and why does it matter?
I am working to bridge the gap between sports, education, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Many talented young people, especially athletes, lack access to proper mentorship, structured development, and sustainable opportunities beyond sports performance alone. There is also limited awareness about the economic and social opportunities within sports entrepreneurship.
This work matters because sports can do more than entertain, it can educate, empower, unite communities, and create long-term economic opportunities when properly structured.
How did you get into this space, and what has your journey been like so far?
I found myself in this space from childhood. Sports, leadership, and community engagement have always been part of my life and passion.
The journey so far has been inspiring and purpose-driven. Along the way, I have learned that impact requires consistency, sacrifice, resilience, and vision. Every experience has strengthened my belief that sports can be a powerful vehicle for social transformation and youth empowerment.
What’s been the most challenging part of your work, and how are you handling it?
One of the biggest challenges has been funding and the general systemic mindset toward sports and social entrepreneurship.
There is still limited understanding among some stakeholders about the long-term value of investing in sports development and youth-focused social initiatives. Another challenge is the mindset of many young people who are heavily influenced by what I call “MMS” — Money Motivation Syndrome — where immediate financial gain is prioritized over personal growth, skill development, and long-term sustainability.
We are addressing these challenges through advocacy, mentorship, partnerships, education, and continuous community engagement aimed at reshaping perspectives and building a culture of purpose-driven development.
What are you seeing in your space right now that people are not paying attention to?
One major area people are overlooking is the enormous opportunity within sports entrepreneurship, especially in sports education, athlete transition programs, sports management, and community-based sports development.
Sports is no longer just about playing games; it is an ecosystem with opportunities in education, media, technology, leadership, wellness, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship. Many communities are yet to fully understand the transformative economic and social value embedded in sports.
What are you currently focused on building or improving next?
I am currently focused on building a Sports and Social Entrepreneurship Hub.
The vision is to create a platform where young athletes, Professionals in Training (PIT), active professional athletes, retired athletes, aspiring entrepreneurs, and established professionals can access structured education, mentorship, leadership development, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The goal is to help them build sustainable careers while creating measurable community impact through sports and social innovation.
Where can people find you?
Email I
Email II
WhatsApp Business Contact
“Sports can do more than entertain, it can educate, empower, unite communities, and create long-term economic opportunities when properly structured.”
— Dr. Suraj Ola Abdulwahab, Founder, TEWORH Foundation
