Lagos State is gearing up to welcome the global archery community as it hosts the inaugural Zen Archery Lagos International Open Tournament from Wednesday, June 18 to Saturday, June 21, 2025. The event, which will be staged at the iconic Onikan Stadium, is set to feature more than 100 elite archers representing 16 clubs from various parts of the world, competing across five major categories.
Organised by Zen Archery in partnership with the Lagos State Sports Commission, the tournament marks a significant milestone for the sport in Nigeria and aims to establish a lasting foundation for archery development in the country. According to the organisers, the competition will operate strictly under international World Archery rules, and for the first time, a formal national ranking system for Nigerian archers will be introduced.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Aderonke Aderionye, emphasized the tournament’s importance to the local and national sporting ecosystem. She noted that the competition would not only showcase high-level archery talent but also serve as the launchpad for Nigeria’s official archery ranking system—an essential step towards preparing athletes for global events, including the Olympics.
“At this tournament, we are going to be using the World Archery regulations to score and we will be launching the ranking system for Nigerian archers. Every athlete who competes will be ranked, and this ranking will be used annually. As an athlete, you get better with every competition you enter, and our vision is to see Nigerians on the Olympic stage. This event is the first step in that journey,” Aderionye stated.
Founder of Zen Archery and renowned photographer Emmanuel Oyeleke, who is spearheading the initiative, disclosed that the event also marks the beginning of a broader development agenda. He revealed that Zen Archery will be launching a sports foundation dedicated to expanding access to archery training for young, underserved Nigerians.
“Our short-term goal is to develop talent and create opportunities for Nigerian archers to compete globally. Long-term, we want to prove to the world that Nigeria is capable of producing world-class athletes in this ancient sport. This tournament is not just a competition—it is a declaration that Nigeria is ready to be counted among the archery nations of the world. We are also looking towards the next two Olympic Games,” Oyeleke said.
In a further show of support, the Lagos State Government, through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Damilare Orimoloye, reiterated its commitment to promoting emerging sports like archery. He pointed out the state’s progressive involvement in archery, noting that the move from hosting a national open event in 2023 to now organising an international competition in 2025 demonstrates the government’s growing support.
“In 2023, we had a national archery open here in Lagos. Fast forward two years, and we are now hosting an international tournament. That in itself shows that the government is backing this sport, and we are committed to doing even more,” Orimoloye assured.
The Zen Archery Lagos International Open is expected to be a major boost to archery awareness and development in Nigeria, while also placing Lagos on the map as a destination for world-class sporting events. With athletes, coaches, and enthusiasts set to converge on the state for four days of elite-level competition, the tournament is poised to deliver an unforgettable experience and set a new benchmark for the sport in West Africa.
