In a bold move to promote sports inclusion, Lagos has officially opened the Zen Archery Arena at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, further solidifying the city’s commitment to sports development.
EpeInsights reports that the unveiling ceremony, held recently, featured key figures, including the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu,who expressed the facility’s importance in promoting mass participation in sports.
He highlighted the arena as a step towards making sports more inclusive and accessible to all Lagosians and Nigerians.
“This facility offers archers a dedicated space to practice and hone their skills, supporting not only their growth but also the diversification of sports in Lagos and beyond,” Fatodu said.
He praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support in creating an environment that nurtures talent and provides opportunities for sports development.
Chairman of the Lagos State Archery Association, Bode Olajuni, also lauded the project, stressing the importance of discovering new talent and providing a space for young archers to grow.
He pointed out that the Zen Archery Arena will play a crucial role in training athletes, particularly school children and grassroots participants and will be integral to future competitions like the upcoming Lagos Zen Archery Competition in June and the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Founder of Zen Archery, Emmanuel Oyeleke, called the project a historic partnership between the public and private sectors.
“This collaboration between Zen Archery and the Lagos State Sports Commission is a landmark moment in the development of sports facilities in Nigeria,” he said.
Oyeleke emphasized the need for more such facilities to identify and nurture young talent in archery, adding that the new arena will serve as a hub for training, clinics, and skill-building programs for young archers, including those from underserved communities.
With this new facility in place, Lagos is positioning itself as a leader in fostering sports development and creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
The Zen Archery Arena is just the beginning of Lagos’s ongoing efforts to create world-class sports infrastructure and programs that will elevate Nigeria’s standing in international sports.
