The Lagos State Archery Association has expanded its grassroots development drive through the Lagos State Archery in Schools Sports Development Programme, reaching more than 500 students across multiple communities in Lagos.

The initiative, organised in partnership with the Lagos State School Sports Association and powered by the Zen Archery Sports Foundation, has continued to grow since its launch on May 12.

The programme has so far visited about 30 schools across Agege, Bariga, Ikoyi and Surulere, while also training nearly 80 sports masters within four local government areas.

On Wednesday, the campaign moved to the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, one of Lagos State’s historic sporting communities, before extending to Babs Fafunwa Millennium School in Ojodu Berger on Thursday as part of activities in Education District 6.

Founder of Zen Archery Sports Foundation, Emmanuel Oyeleke, explained that the programme was intentionally designed to reach communities with strong sporting traditions.

“Ajegunle has given Nigeria some of its finest athletes. We are not bringing archery here as something new or foreign — we are giving another opportunity to a community that already knows how to produce champions,” Oyeleke said.

He added that expanding into Ojodu Berger and Education District 6 was equally important because of the large number of students who could benefit from the programme.

Each school activation follows standards aligned with World Archery guidelines, including safety briefings, live demonstrations, supervised practical sessions and coaching development for sports teachers.

Organisers say the trained sports masters are expected to serve as long-term coaching resources within their schools after the programme concludes.

The initiative is also expected to help identify young talents who will be considered for Lagos State’s preparations ahead of the South-West Nigeria Under-21 Archery Camp and Championship.

The six-day outreach programme, which ran from May 12 to May 21, covered communities across mainland Lagos, the island and outer districts, further strengthening efforts to develop archery at grassroots level in the state.