The sporting capital of Nigeria, Lagos, was set aglow once again as the state hosted the inaugural AFC Amateur World Series Championships, a landmark event that brought international attention to the state’s fast-rising reputation as a hub for global sports.
The championship, making its first edition for amateur ranking was organised by the Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF) in collaboration with the AFC World Series and Lagos State Sports Commission.
Held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall the competition gathered amateur athletes from across continents to compete in an atmosphere charged with passion, energy and camaraderie.
The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu described the Championship as a remarkable convergence of competition, culture and entertainment. The tournament set a clear pathway where fighters must prove themselves in ten amateur bouts before turning professional, a structure rooted in global best practice and the standards that define world champions.
In his word, “The cage was the stage, but the story reached far beyond it. The stage witnessed young Nigerians shatter barriers once thought unbreakable, empowered by systems determined not to let talent slip away. This is how we shape not just fighters, but true champions. Not just moments, but lasting legacies. This is how a city carves its name into the future of sport”.
Reaffirming the state’s resolve to continue raising the bar for global sporting excellence in Nigeria, the Director General expressed confidence that with the extraordinary investment Governor Sanwo-Olu is putting to sports development and the governor’s special focus on talent growth, Lagos will sustain its momentum of sporting creativity and continue to deliver world-class events that inspire young talents, promote tourism and stimulate advancement of sports business.
