Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 44 sports Association Chairmen, Tasks them on grassroots development

By Adebola Muili

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated 44 chairmen of sports associations in the state, charging them to strengthen grassroots development and build a sustainable pipeline for discovering and nurturing talents.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during the inauguration of the sports association chairmen at Lagos House, Ikeja, describing their appointment as a significant step towards repositioning sports administration in the state.

The governor urged the new sports administrators to set clear and measurable objectives for their associations, introduce succession programmes and establish systems capable of identifying, developing and transforming raw talents into elite athletes.

He said Lagos’ reputation as the Centre of Excellence must go beyond talent discovery, stressing the need for adequate structures, training opportunities and competitive platforms to turn emerging talents into champions.

“Lagos’ reputation as a Centre of Excellence must extend beyond talent discovery to establishing the necessary structures, training opportunities, and competitive platforms to transform talents into champions,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said sports should be viewed not only as recreation but also as a pathway to discipline, education, employment, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

He noted that major sporting events could create opportunities across sectors such as hospitality, transportation, entertainment, media, technology, fitness and sports medicine.

The governor also called for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector, saying increased private investment would strengthen the foundation for sports and athlete development in Lagos.

He charged the chairmen to uphold transparency, accountability and discipline, while ensuring that their respective associations maintain active competition calendars.

The governor further urged them to create opportunities for women, girls, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented talents, stressing the importance of inclusiveness in sports development.

He said their performance would be measured not by the length of their tenure but by the athletes developed, institutions strengthened, records broken and champions produced.

Sanwo-Olu also stressed the need for a continuous pathway linking schools to training grounds, competitions and national, continental and global sporting stages.

He cited Lagos’ recent performances at national sporting competitions as evidence of what could be achieved when talents were supported by a functional system.

The governor also highlighted the hosting of the National Intermediate Games in Lagos as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s leadership in sports development and provide young athletes with opportunities to showcase their talents.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Lekan Fatodu, said the inauguration demonstrated the administration’s commitment to advancing sports development in the state.

Fatodu said government alone could not develop the sector, stressing the need for stronger partnerships among government, sports associations, athletes, coaches, corporate organisations, schools and local communities.

He described the newly inaugurated chairmen as vital links between athletes and their respective sporting communities, with responsibilities ranging from talent identification and athlete development to competition organisation and technical capacity building.

According to him, the chairmen would also be expected to create pathways for athletes to compete and succeed at higher levels.

Fatodu disclosed that the state deliberately appointed accomplished men and women across various sporting disciplines to provide leadership, mentorship and opportunities for young athletes.

Responding on behalf of the chairmen, the Chairman of the Lagos State Athletics Association, Dr Solomon Alao, assured the state government of their commitment to supporting the administration’s vision for sports development.

Alao said their direct engagement with the governor had dispelled doubts about the administration’s commitment to the sports associations, describing the inauguration as a renewed source of strength and motivation.

He assured the government that the new leadership would strive to deliver credible, progressive and impactful results across their respective associations.

Alao added that the chairmen were encouraged by the confidence reposed in them and remained committed to working towards improved outcomes for athletes and the overall growth of sports in Lagos.