Global spotlight on Lagos as city hosts first AFC Amateur World Series
Lagos came under global spotlight as it hosted the maiden edition of the AFC Amateur World Series Championships, further cementing its reputation as Nigeria’s leading hub for international sporting events.
The championship, organised by the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF) in collaboration with the AFC World Series and the Lagos State Sports Commission, was held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall. It drew amateur fighters from across several continents in a thrilling showcase of athletic talent.
Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, described the event as a powerful blend of competition, culture, and entertainment, noting that it reflects the state’s growing influence on the global sports stage.
Fatodu highlighted the championship’s structured format, which requires athletes to compete in ten amateur bouts before turning professional — a model rooted in global best practices aimed at building world-class fighters from the grassroots.
“The cage was the stage, but the story reached far beyond it,” Fatodu said. “This is how we shape not just fighters, but true champions — not just moments, but lasting legacies.”
He praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continued investment in sports infrastructure and talent development, describing the governor’s vision as key to Lagos’ emergence as a centre for global sporting excellence.
According to Fatodu, the state’s focus on nurturing young talents is helping to create opportunities in sports, promote tourism, and expand the sports business ecosystem in Nigeria.
He expressed confidence that Lagos will continue to attract and host world-class events that inspire the next generation of athletes and position Nigeria as a force in international sports.
