Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates 44 Sports Association Chairmen in Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated 44 chairmen of sports associations in the state, charging them to strengthen grassroots development and create sustainable pathways for athletes.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Tuesday during the inauguration at Lagos House, Ikeja, describing the appointments as a significant step towards repositioning sports administration in the state.

The governor urged the new administrators to establish clear and measurable objectives for their associations, implement succession programmes and develop systems for identifying and nurturing emerging talents.

He said Lagos’ reputation as the Centre of Excellence must extend beyond talent discovery to providing the structures, training opportunities and competitive platforms needed to turn promising athletes into champions.

Sanwo-Olu described sports as more than recreation, saying the sector could promote discipline, education, employment, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

He also called for stronger government-private sector collaboration, noting that major sporting events create opportunities across hospitality, transportation, entertainment, media, technology, fitness and sports medicine.

The governor directed the new chairmen to uphold transparency, accountability and discipline while maintaining active competition calendars.

He also urged them to create opportunities for women, girls, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented talents.

Sanwo-Olu said the success of the new chairmen would be measured by the athletes they develop, institutions they strengthen, records they break and champions they produce.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, said the inauguration demonstrated the government’s commitment to sports development.

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

Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, Lagos State Athletics Association Chairman, Dr Solomon Alao, pledged their commitment to supporting the government’s vision and delivering credible and impactful results across their respective associations.