The vibrant energy of young athletes filled the air as the second edition of the GymFest Championship concluded successfully in Lagos. This exciting event, which showcased the future of gymnastics in Nigeria, was held at The Podium in Lekki.
A Platform for Young Talent
Organised by the TeeTumblers Gymnastics Club, the competition attracted over 200 school children. Participants were grouped by age and skill level, with children from three to twelve years old forming levels one to three. The more advanced levels, four to six, featured gymnasts from seven different clubs from within Lagos, other parts of Nigeria, and even the Benin Republic.
Strategic Support for Sports Development
The event received significant backing from both corporate and government entities. Fidelity Bank served as the headline sponsor, while the Lagos State government used the platform to announce a major step forward. The state revealed plans to launch a database review and registration process for coaches and clubs directly through the GymFest platform. This initiative is designed to create a more robust, structured, and sustainable gymnastics ecosystem across Lagos.
Toyin Akpose, the Founder of TeeTumblers Gymnastics Club, shared that the vision for GymFest was born in 2024. She expressed a strong belief that gymnastics deserves to be a celebrated sport in Nigeria, provided with the right platform, training, and equipment. She credited Sarah Boulos, founder of the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), for recognizing the immense talent in the country and advocating for its nurture.
Building a Thriving Gymnastics Community
Lekan Fatodu, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, emphasized that the competition is a key part of the state's sports development and grassroots intervention strategy.
Representing Fidelity Bank's Managing Director, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Divisional Head of Brand and Communications, Meksley Nwagboh, described sports as a powerful tool for transformation. "We are proud to support an initiative that promotes physical excellence, strengthens community bonds, and inspires national pride," Nwagboh stated. He added that the bank's social investment agenda, which focuses on education, health, and youth empowerment, aligns perfectly with GymFest's mission to help children grow in confidence, creativity, and courage.
Through continuous training programs and stronger networks, the GymFest platform aims to birth new stars and create lasting opportunities for young athletes in Nigeria.
