Sanwo-Olu inaugurates board of Lagos State Sports Trust Fund
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated the Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, charging members to deploy resources towards the growth and development of grassroots, school, and community-based sports
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated the Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, charging members to deploy resources towards the growth and development of grassroots, school, and community-based sports across the state.
Olaposi Agunbiade will serve as Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at Lagos House, Marina, Sanwo-Olu urged the board members to leverage their networks, professional expertise, and experience to build a robust sports funding institution for the state.
“The mandate is very straightforward. It is for all of you to use your contacts, skills, professional background, and reach to support funding in sports and help set up strong institutions that will serve Lagos State today and future generations,” he said.
“I also implore you to deploy resources to grassroots sports, school sports, and other sporting activities that will encourage growth across our various divisions.”
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Sanwo-Olu noted that while the government had invested in several sports facilities across the state, many still required completion, upgrades, and better utilisation, adding that the trust fund could serve as a bridge for private sector participation.
“Many individuals and organisations are willing to support sports development, but may not want to deal directly with the government. This quasi-body provides an avenue to engage the private sector while drawing from government experience,” he said.
The Chairman of the Board, former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development and President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Enitan Oshodi, said the board’s priority was to create sustainable pathways for mobilising funds to support sports infrastructure and athlete development in Lagos.
He stated that while the state government commits significant resources to sports, funding remains insufficient for a megacity of over 20 million people.
“We need facilities to support our athletes, and we all know the depth of talent Lagos has. The Lagos State Sports Commission is doing a good job, but private sector support is critical. In many leading sporting nations, the private sector plays a dominant role,” he said
Oshodi expressed optimism that with the calibre of professionals on the board and clear government direction, the Sports Trust Fund would achieve early successes while pursuing a long-term vision for sports development in Lagos State.
