By Ayomide Otitoju
Governor of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has inaugurated the Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, charging members to mobilise resources for the growth of grassroots and school sports across the state.
The inauguration ceremony was held on Wednesday at Lagos House, Marina.
Former Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development and current President of the International Table Tennis Federation, Enitan Oshodi, was named Chairman of the Board, while Olaposi Agunbiade will serve as Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer.
Other members of the Board include Olabode Agoro, Adeniyi Adedokun Adekoya, Gbolahan Onibuje, Jubril Gawat, Kikelomo Bolarinwa, Olayemi Sarumi, Lekan Fatodu, Moshood Ajide, Engr. Ibrahim Adigun, Chairman of the Conference of Local Government and LCDA Chairmen, and the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu urged the board members to leverage their professional expertise, networks and experience to build a strong and sustainable sports institution for Lagos State.
“The mandate is very straightforward,” the governor said. “Use your contacts, skills and professional background to help secure funding for sports and establish robust institutions that will serve Lagos today and future generations.”
He emphasised the need to channel resources into grassroots and school sports, noting that several government-funded facilities across the state require completion or upgrades.
Sanwo-Olu added that the Trust Fund, as a quasi-government body, would serve as a bridge between the government and private sector organisations willing to support sports development without directly engaging government structures.
In his remarks, Oshodi said the board’s primary focus would be to create sustainable funding pathways to enhance sports development and infrastructure in the state.
According to him, while the Lagos State Government invests significantly in sports, the funding remains insufficient for a megacity with over 20 million residents.
“We need facilities to support our athletes. The Lagos State Sports Commission is doing a very good job, but we need private sector support,” Oshodi said.
He pointed to the United States as an example of a leading sporting nation driven largely by private sector funding, expressing confidence that the board’s composition would attract corporate backing.
Oshodi added that while short-term gains are achievable, the Trust Fund’s broader objective is a long-term, sustainable plan for sports development in Lagos State.
