Zen Archery boss relishes Lagos intl’t tourney success

Founder of Zen Archery Emmanuel Oyeleke has expressed delight about the successful completion of the Zen Archery Lagos International Open Tournament – the first international archery tournament in Nigeria.

The four-day tournament was organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos, and brought together over 100 archers from different parts of the country and Africa.

It featured 16 clubs competing for medals in the recurve, compound, barebow, mixed team, youth, and para-archery categories.

Oyeleke led Zen Archery to gold in the men’s compound category.

“Winning the first edition of this tournament is a great feeling but I think the greater feeling is putting the tournament itself together – bringing together over 100 people from different parts of Nigeria and outside Nigeria to compete,” he said.

“Looking at the resources we had, achieving the dream was a tall order but the support in the last couple of days has been overwhelming and it exceeded my expectations.’’

“We are looking forward to more of this and we will keep working towards excellence.”

In the team events, Zen Archery also clinched silver in the recurve men’s and recurve 50m men’s teams, and gold in the barebow 50m men’s team event.

TAC Toupah Arc Club from Ivory Coast dominated the recurve categories, sweeping gold in both individual and team divisions, thanks to stars like Yao Kouassi Chadrac, Prisca Kossia, and Japhet Teki Kouakoussui.

The Zen Archery Sports Foundation, a nonprofit arm, aiming to provide free coaching, mentorship, and equipment to underserved youth across Nigeria was also launched at the event.

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