Olufemi Adeyemi
In an impressive exhibition of foresight, leadership, and creativity, the Lagos State Sports Commission organized the Lagos Paris Olympics 2024 Esports and Sports Economy Roundtable at the Africa Station Doom, L’lle-Saint-Denis in Paris, France. Convened under the theme ‘Exploring New Frontiers and Business Opportunities in Sports’, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, spearheaded this significant event, which took place alongside the Paris Olympics.
He underscored the dedication of Governor Babajide
Sanwo-Olu’s administration to advancing sports and its vision for achieving
excellence and fostering global partnerships. “As the Paris Olympics continues
to engage audiences worldwide, Lagos has adeptly utilized this international
platform to showcase its sporting aspirations.
The roundtable has not only enhanced the city’s global
standing but has also created new opportunities for economic development
through sports. The world is now watching Lagos to see how it will convert the
momentum from this roundtable into concrete initiatives.
As one participant aptly noted, ‘Lagos has not merely joined
the global sports dialogue; it has positioned itself to take the lead,’” he
emphasized.
The roundtable explored various dimensions of sports
development, with a particular emphasis on esports—a rapidly expanding sector
that has garnered worldwide interest—bringing together a distinguished group of
stakeholders, including senior government officials, prospective investors, and
representatives from leading international sports organizations.
The panel session featured distinguished individuals such as
Désiré Koussawo, President of France Esports; Lekan Ajisafe, a philanthropist
and sports enthusiast; Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, Chairman of the Lagos State House
of Assembly Committee on Sports; and Mobolaji Ogunlende, Honourable
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos State.
They engaged in a discussion regarding the importance of
creating opportunities throughout the entire sports value chain to foster a
sustainable sports economy, as well as how investors can capitalize on Lagos's
prominence to enhance the sporting industry.
Additional panellists who contributed insights on modern
strategies to promote the e-sports business in Nigeria included Lanre Alfred,
CEO of Old English and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports;
Damilare Orimoloye; Deji Omotoyinbo, a veteran sports broadcaster; Tella
Abiodun, CEO of G2P Sports Limited; Dr. Kweku Tandoh, a renowned sports
specialist and President of the Nigerian Badminton Federation; and Frank Orbih.