Sports

British Cycling, Lagos Sports Commission Partner for Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building

Published

5 days ago

January 30, 2026

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has strengthened its global sports drive and agenda with a high-level diplomatic engagement as the delegation from British Cycling paid a working visit to the Commission, reinforcing LSSC’s commitment to leveraging sports as an instrument for diplomacy, institutional learning, and sustainable development.

The delegation, led by Ms. Amy Gardner, Sport and Participation Director at British Cycling, held discussions with the management of the Commission on areas of collaboration, with emphasis on knowledge exchange and skill transfer aimed at enhancing technical capacity and the cycling culture in Lagos State.

Speaking during the visit, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, described the engagement as a deliberate and outcome-focused step in Lagos State’s broader sports development strategy.

“Sports has become a powerful tool for diplomacy and development,” Fatodu said. “Our commitment to knowledge exchange and skill transfer with British Cycling is intentional and practical.

“It is about strengthening our technical capacity, deepening institutional competence, and ensuring that global best practices are adapted in ways that deliver measurable value for athletes, coaches, sports administrators, and cyclists in Lagos, to impact sports, recreation, and urban mobility.”

Fatodu also attributed the Commission’s growing international outlook and readiness for credible partnerships to the strong policy direction, institutional support, and enabling environment provided by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration, stating that this has created the confidence and capacity for Lagos to engage credibly with international partners and pursue excellence across the sports value chain.

In her remarks, Gardner commended the Commission for its openness to collaboration, noting that British Cycling was keen on partnerships and collaboration that promote value exchange through shared learning, commercial opportunities and sustainable development.

“We are impressed by the ambition and clarity of purpose shown by the Lagos State Sports Commission,” she said. “There is clear potential for knowledge sharing and skill transfer that can support participation, develop people, and contribute to the long-term growth of cycling.”

The British Cycling delegation expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting Lagos State’s growing reputation as a progressive force in African sports. They commended the Lagos State Sports Commission’s professionalism and strategic vision, highlighting the potential for Lagos to become a continental leader in cycling development.

Both parties agreed to formalise the partnership through a structured framework that will include exchange programmes, technical workshops, and collaborative action on sports development.

As Lagos State continues to strengthen its position as a global sports destination, this collaboration with British Cycling represents a strategic step toward achieving international standards in cycling while reinforcing the state’s commitment to using sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment, international cooperation, and national pride.

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Sports

Rivers Handball Players Target Gold at Niger Delta Games

Published

6 hours ago

February 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Players of the Rivers state handball team have sent strong messages of warning to their opponents at the forthcoming Niger Delta Games that they will be in Benin City for the Gold medal this time.

Speaking after the conclusion of the Handball trials for Edo 2026 at the Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the players that spoke were unanimous in their resolve to hit gold later this month.

It could sound unrealistic, given that their performances at the inaugural edition in Uyo last year were not up to scratch, but the players remain adamant that the experience combined with their preparations for this edition will bring them good returns.

Fully prepared this time
Goalkeeper Richard Harrison led his male teammates in declaring their readiness to take Benin by storm, hinging his belief on his team’s good preparation.

“We are very very prepared. For me, I will say it’s a 100% for us. We have been training basically, morning and evening, so the preparation is there, just to put in the team work and I think we can go for Gold,” said Harrison.

His teammate ThankGod David also echoed Harrison’s thoughts, adding that they have put in enough work in preparations that should see them come out tops when they face their regional opponents as from February 20.

“We are very confident in our abilities as we have put in enough efforts in our trainings. So we believe that as we are heading for the competition, we, as a team are emerging victorious,” said David.
Anticipating a better, sweeter experience
The Rivers Handball team are aware of their poor past and ready to create a new experience.

For Godspower Idango, he says that their lacklustre performance last year has brought a renewed hunger in them ahead of this year’s competition and assures of a great outing this year.

“We are looking forward to this year’s Games. We didn’t do well last year so my teammates and I are hungry and angry so much that we are putting in much work both in the morning and evening.
“So, I want to assure you that we will come out victorious in Edo state.”

Lily Emmanuel is a young lady who spoke on behalf of the women’s team and she believes the team is ready and equipped to make the state proud this year.

“I wasn’t actually proud of the experience last year but this year, we are going prepared. We are going to win, we are not coming to dull or fail. We are Team Rivers and we are going to make Rivers state proud.

“We’ve been training from like the beginning of January intensively with consistency. We’ve been able to do endurance trainings that has given us greater strength so, the result will be different this time,” said Lily.

The Rivers state trials for Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games continued on Wednesday with Volleyball and Taekwondo taking centre stage.

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