With a formidable contingent of 416 athletes and 80 technical officials, Lagos State is poised to set the pace at the 9th National Youth Games (NYG) taking place in Asaba, Delta State.
Renowned for its commitment to excellence in sports and talent development, Lagos is ready to reaffirm its status as a pacesetter on the national stage.
Speaking ahead of the opening ceremony, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, emphasized the state’s readiness to deliver a standout performance.
“We are very optimistic that Lagos will make multiple podium appearances. Our goal is to surpass our previous outing and continue to lead in sports development,” Fatodu stated.
Following a strong showing at the South-West Zonal Eliminations Ball Games in Ibadan, where Team Lagos secured 11 qualification slots, preparations have intensified to ensure another impressive performance in Asaba.
“We’ve enhanced the reward system for athletes, coaches, and technical crew.
These incentives will undoubtedly contribute to our success,” Fatodu added.
He also acknowledged the unwavering support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose backing has been instrumental in advancing the commission’s strategic interventions aimed at improving athlete capacity, competence, and performance.
“This support has driven our progress. Lagosians should expect nothing less than excellence. Our athletes will entertain, inspire, and deliver stellar performances.”
Lagos is targeting dominance across multiple disciplines, including athletics, swimming, boxing, and weightlifting. The state is also taking a firm stance against age cheating, particularly in football, with a data-driven approach to ensure all athletes meet the appropriate age criteria.
“Our strategy is built on empirical analysis. With talented athletes and a well-crafted plan, Lagos is reclaiming its position as Nigeria’s multi-sport powerhouse,” Fatodu affirmed.
Team Lagos will compete in a wide range of sports, including boxing, football, gymnastics, hockey, basketball, handball, volleyball, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, weightlifting, and judo.
The delegation comprises 416 athletes, 40 coaches, 38 secretaries, and other accompanying officials.
The 9th National Youth Games officially kicks off Friday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, and will run until September 7.
