Grassroots Talents Shine as Lagos Promotes Gender Equality

The Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, became a hub of youthful energy recently

as the Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Governor’s sports aides hosted the 2025 Sports Fiesta. The initiative was designed to discover grassroots talent while using sports as a vehicle for gender balance and social inclusion.

The fiesta featured a blend of physical and intellectual challenges, with basketball and chess taking center stage. In the basketball category, Ravens Academy emerged as champions after a thrilling 33-27 victory over First Deepwater, while the chess competition highlighted the strategic thinking and discipline of the state’s young minds.

​Individually, Beatrice Mark of Ravens Academy stole the spotlight, earning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for her dominant performance on the court. Meanwhile, Patrick Floresaint and Ogunfowoke Veronica demonstrated mental prowess by winning all their chess matches, proving that Lagos is a fertile ground for both physical and intellectual athletes.

​Damilare Orimoloye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, described the event as a deliberate step toward reducing inequality. He announced plans to expand the "Sports Fiesta" across the IBILE divisions by 2026, ensuring that the gospel of gender equality reaches every corner of the state.

Supported by the Lagos State Sports Commission and the SDG office, the event organizers reiterated their commitment to bridging developmental gaps. By providing a platform for up-and-coming athletes to sharpen their skills, Lagos continues to invest in sports as a tool for community cohesion and youth empowerment.