Drone Soccer, an activity which combines sports with technology and aeronautical engineering, has made its debut in Lagos.
Courtesy of Caverton Helicopters, under Federation of International Drone Soccer Association (FIDA Nigeria), the event created a buzz in the Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Director-General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, represented by Ifeoluwa Ogunlaja, deputy director of Sports, said drone soccer combines community engagement, STEM and inclusion.
President of FIDA Nigeria, Rotimi Makanjuola, said it is the beginning of a new era.
“Today marks a new chapter in intersection of sports, science, and innovation in Nigeria. Drone Soccer is a fusion of technology, teamwork, and talent, where players control flying drones in protective cages to compete in a goal-based, high-energy sport. Beyond the competition, Drone Soccer introduces young people to STEM education through sports. It challenges the mind, builds confidence, and ignites curiosity about robotics, programming, and aeronautics.”
Makanjuola added that it is instructive that the sport is taking off in Lagos, Nigeria’s centre of excellence, innovation, and youth development.
He hailed the leadership of Fatodu-led commission.
He posited that the collaboration between FIDA Nigeria Drone Soccer and Lagos State Sports Commission is a strategic partnership to empower youth, enhance digital literacy, and open pathways to new global opportunities, he said.
“At FIDA Nigeria, our objective is to create awareness about the sport. It’s a relatively new sport, and we chose to engage Lagos State Sports Commission, because we know Lagos is the pioneer of things in Nigeria. Just two weeks ago, we had E1 Lagos GP, the first in Africa and from what I heard, they will be coming back in five years. So, with drone soccer, we feel it’s the same, especially because it’s targeted at the new normal, Artificial Intelligence, part of the drone technology, and STEM for children. At the World Cup in South Korea last month, we realised a high number of Asian children and teenagers that have been integrated into the sport, and it gets them ready for the next level.’’
We believe in Africa and Nigeria as well, that’s where we plan to target young children so that they can be prepared for the future,” Makanjuola stated.
He praised Caverton for throwing its weight behind the sport, which is in alignment with the company’s visionary direction.
“Caverton has always been a pioneer in many areas of operations; the first indigenous helicopter company to start operations in the oil and gas industry. Prior to that, we were also one of the first shipping companies to start bringing in LPG into Nigeria through Lagos. As such, we saw this as an opportunity because we moved into drone technology a while back as we now conduct agricultural drones training for some farmers, in partnership with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) regarding reverse engineering and some other projects. When we came across drone soccer, we realised it is another pioneer sport which we are capable of promoting, not just Nigeria, but in West Africa. And we are grateful to the Chairman, Board and management of Caverton for the support. As you can see, we already have 102 people being trained to become umpires, referees and officials and we know that we’re going to have more when we start reaching out to schools.”
Also speaking, General Secretary of FIDA Nigeria, Ese Obukonise, said Nigeria can tap into the early comer advantage as one of the two official countries registered with the global drone soccer association in Africa.
“Drone soccer is taking an international dimension, the first World Cup held in South Korea just last month and Nigeria was able to participate in it. The event was an eye-opener for us and the game has actually exposed us to not just the leisure part of it but the technological development part as well. This is a very good development, and I want to Caverton Helicopters for the sponsorship to ensure that Nigeria is registered as a member,” Obukonise said.
According to him, Morocco was the other country from Africa at the World Cup out of the 25 official members around the globe, with Asia, North America, South America and Europe well represented, noting that FIDA Nigeria requires the support of government to spread the sports to nook and crannies of Nigeria.
One of the participants, Tobiloba Ogunlaja, said the game is exciting and demands more mental, rather than physical, concentration and energy.
“I feel so excited about drone soccer. It’s just the very first time and I can tell you I now have a sport that I’m passionate about. I plan to back to them on how I can be a proper professional in the sport, I want more of this in Nigeria and I hope it gets more exposure, investors and that government focuses on it because of its huge potential,” Ogunlaja said.
