Chrisland Schools has unveiled plans to establish a Lagos Sports Academy aimed at identifying, nurturing and developing young athletes to represent Lagos State at national and international competitions.
The Executive Head of Schools, Sports and Wider Curriculum, Eric Van Der Merwe, in an interview with Sportxvibe.com.ng disclosed the initiative while highlighting the school’s growing investment in structured grassroots sports development.
According to Van Der Merwe, Nigeria possesses abundant sporting talent but lacks the necessary structures to develop athletes from a young age.
“There is so much talent in Lagos, but there is no support or structure,” he said, noting that many of Nigeria’s elite footballers and athletes only reached their potential after moving abroad.
Since assuming office three years ago, Van Der Merwe said Chrisland has transformed its sports programme by creating competitive football teams across Under-12, Under-14, Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 categories, while strengthening athletics, basketball, volleyball and swimming across its 16 schools.
He added that the structured approach has enabled several students to secure sports scholarships and compete in international tournaments, proving that sports can thrive alongside academic excellence.
The proposed Lagos Sports Academy, he explained, would bring together outstanding student-athletes from schools across the state every weekend to train under former and current international athletes.
“Our dream is to have Lagos school teams that can represent the state and Nigeria internationally,” Van Der Merwe said.
He revealed that discussions with the Lagos State Government are ongoing, stressing that government support would be crucial to bringing the project to life.
He added that Chrisland has offered sports scholarships to 10 talented students from public schools and has provided access to its sporting facilities to schools across Lagos.
“But we are getting wider. Everything starts small and unfortunately, you need money for these kinds of things,” he said.
Van Der Merwe believes expanding partnerships between private schools, government and communities will unlock Nigeria’s immense sporting potential and produce the next generation of elite athletes.