Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and sports development as it headlined the second edition of the Gymfest Championship held over the weekend in Lagos.
The event, which attracted impressive participation from children aged 3 to 12, featured competitions across Levels 1 to 7 and brought together young gymnasts, their parents, coaches, clubs, schools, and sponsors. Gymfest 2.0 aims to nurture emerging talent and expand the footprint of gymnastics across Nigeria.
Speaking at the championship, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, highlighted sports as a catalyst for national development.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe sports are a powerful tool for transformation. They instill discipline, sharpen focus, and foster teamwork qualities that shape character and strengthen communities,” he said.
“As headline sponsor of Gymfest, we are proud to support a platform that promotes physical excellence, builds community spirit, and inspires national pride. Gymfest is more than a competition; it motivates children to set ambitious goals and pursue them with dedication.”
Co-founder of the Gymfest Championship and Founder of Tee Tumblers Gymnastics Club, Yoyin Akpose, emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative. According to her, Gymfest is building a sustainable ecosystem that connects children, parents, schools, clubs, and corporate partners through a shared passion for gymnastics.
“Our goal is to make gymnastics accessible to every child with a dream. We aim to establish well-equipped centers offering training opportunities across Lagos from Surulere to Ikorodu, Ikeja, Apapa, and beyond,” she said.
“GYMFEST is changing the narrative by creating a structured pathway for talent development, international exposure, and professional training.”
One of the standout moments of the championship was the remarkable performance of Oluwatoni Pitan, who clinched the title of overall best gymnast in the Level 2 Vault category.
Sharing her excitement, she said: “I feel very excited because I didn’t expect this. This is my first Level 2 competition, and I prepared for only three weeks. I want to encourage other girls to stay focused and work hard you never know when your chance will come.”
She also expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank, the event organisers, and her parents for giving her the platform to showcase her abilities and pursue her athletic dreams.
With initiatives like Gymfest, Fidelity Bank continues to strengthen its footprint in youth empowerment and sports development, using strategic partnerships to inspire the next generation of leaders and athletes.
Ranked among Nigeria’s top-performing banks, Fidelity Bank serves over 9.1 million customers through digital channels, 255 business offices, and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has earned numerous recognitions including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award (BAFI Awards), Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application (Global Business Outlook), Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider (Global Brands Magazine), and Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria (Euromoney Awards for Excellence).