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…Commissions Sanwo-Olu mini stadium in Lagos
By Sunday Ani
Mobile phone company, TECNO, in partnership with the Lagos State Sports Commission has commissioned the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Mini Stadium at Sura, Lagos State.
Representative of the company, Mr. Babatunde Giwa, Head of Legal Affairs, who spoke on behalf of Mr. Chidi Okonkwo, General Manager of Transsion, said it is an eight aside mini stadium launched under private and public co-led footballing initiative.
“Football remains one of the most powerful forces for unity in Nigeria, transcending ethnic, religious and socio-economic boundaries. It is a shared passion that binds communities, inspires hope and creates opportunities for millions of young people across the country. In recognition of this unique unifying power, TECNO has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots sports development by bringing football infrastructure to underserved communities across Nigeria and the African continent.
“As one of the official partners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) currently taking place in Morocco, TECNO has launched a continent-wide initiative that focused on building small-sized football pitches in communities where access to quality sports facilities is limited.
“This initiative aligns with the brand’s broader vision of empowering African youth, fostering social inclusion and nurturing the next generation of football talent from grassroots to professional levels.
“The initiative recently unveiled in Lagos marked a significant milestone not only for TECNO but also for sports development in Lagos State, as it represents the first mini football stadium delivered through a collaborative public-private partnership between a corporate organisation and the state government.
“The newly commissioned mini stadium, named in honour of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stands as a symbol of shared responsibility and collective purpose between the public and private sectors.
“It is designed to serve as a hub for grassroots football, youth engagement and community development, providing young people in the area with a safe, modern and accessible space to train, compete and develop their talents.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by key government officials, community leaders and representatives of TECNO,” he said.
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In his remarks, Mr. Lekan Fatoba expressed appreciation to TECNO for its investment in grassroots sports development.
“To our partner, TECNO, we are extremely grateful. Words are not enough to appreciate what you have done with this project,” he said.
“We understand that this is a corporate social responsibility initiative dedicated to youth empowerment and community development. However, this project goes beyond private investment. It represents a rare convergence of purpose between corporate social responsibility and the government’s social contract with the people, delivered through a public-private partnership arrangement.”
Also present at the event was the Lagos State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende.
He commended TECNO for the initiative he described as deeply community-driven and firmly rooted in grassroots development. The Commissioner further encouraged the company to extend similar projects to other underserved areas within Lagos State, including Ikorodu and Badagry, to broaden the initiative’s impact.
Mr. Giwa also shared insights into the motivation behind the company’s growing investment in football development. According to him, TECNO’s long-term ambition is to become synonymous with football across Nigeria and Africa.
“This vision is driven by our commitment not only to associate with established football stars across the continent, but also to identify, support, and partner with the future stars of the game,” he said. “Our goal is to help young, football-loving Nigerians achieve their dreams by creating a bridge between grassroots talent and today’s football icons.”
To officially open the stadium for use, a novelty match was played on the new pitch, featuring a Lagos State team against a TECNO team. The entertaining encounter ended in a 2–2 draw and saw participation from top state officials, including the Commissioner for Sports and the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission. A second match between two local community teams followed, with Sura Red Stars emerging victorious with a 3–1 win, further underscoring the community-centric focus of the facility.
In closing, TECNO expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos State Government for their continued dedication to youth and community development through inclusive sports initiatives. The company reaffirmed its commitment to deepening partnerships that create lasting impact and unlock opportunities for young Nigerians through the power of football.
