Team Lagos emerged as the dominant force at the Southwest zonal elimination for the 23rd National Sports Festival, winning four competitions and securing seven podium finishes across five team sports.
The zonal elimination, held from 13 to 16 September, featured teams from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti competing for places at the National Sports Festival.
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Lagos recorded its strongest performance in volleyball, winning both the men’s and women’s competitions. The state’s men’s basketball team also emerged as champions, while the women’s football team finished top in its category.
The results gave Lagos four first-place finishes and three runner-up positions across the 10 male and female categories contested.
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Lagos finished second in women’s basketball, while its men’s and women’s cricket teams also placed second.
The performance puts Lagos in a strong position ahead of the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu later this year.
The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, attributed the results to the state’s approach to talent development and competitive sports.
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“This performance shows the quality of talent in Lagos and the impact of the work we are putting into athlete development. Our athletes have shown that Team Lagos is ready to compete at the highest level, and we will continue to give them the support they need to succeed.”
Mr Fatodu commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for what he described as his support for sports infrastructure and athlete development.
“We appreciate Governor Sanwo-Olu for his strong commitment to sports. His investment in facilities, programmes and athlete development is creating the platform for our athletes to compete, win and inspire the next generation.”
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He said the state’s objective goes beyond medal-winning to developing a system that identifies talent early, develops athletes systematically and creates pathways for sporting careers.
“Our goal is not simply to win competitions. We are building a sustainable pipeline of talent from the grassroots to the elite level. Every medal matters, but what matters even more is that we are creating opportunities for young Lagosians to discover their abilities, develop them and compete with confidence.”
The Southwest result comes as Lagos continues its focus on grassroots sports, talent identification, athlete support and sports infrastructure.
The state’s teams will now begin preparations for the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu, with Lagos aiming to build on its performance in the zonal elimination.
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