BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon. Lekan Fatodu, has disclosed that the Lagos State contingent to the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, are well motivated to compete favourably with other states at the Gateway Games 2024.
Fatodu, while speaking with journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, praises the sports Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his unwavering and financial support given to Team Lagos to prepare and participate in the biggest sporting event in the country.
“Let me use this forum to thank our Governor for his unwavering support given to Team Lagos. He is passionate about youth development,t and whatever we ask has always been given to us by His Excellency.
“Our preparation was good enough, and the athletes were motivated in terms of their allowances and other benefits
“Presently, our athletes are in good shape to compete favourably for medals with other states in the ongoing National Sports Festival,” said Fatodu, who believes Team Lagos are in the Games to compete where the state has comparative advantages.
Reacting to the endemic of poaching of athletes that has been eaten deep into the fabric of Nigerian sports, a development that has not allowed for competing fairness in national championships in the past few years, Fatodu emphasised the position of Lagos State Government the state would continue to focus on giving its athletes all round development, breeding and grooming youngsters, adding that what Lagos is focusing on is to develop the athletes and give them the right platform to develop their skills and come to the limelight.
“I am aware of our athletes who were trained in Lagos and represent other states in the festival, but I am not bothered being poached by other states because our focus in the Sports Commission is how we can better the lives of our athletes during their active days and after their retirement,” he said.
The sports administrator also expressed concerns over some states that see the festival as a do-or-die affair and competition of inducing the athletes with monetary gifts, instead of using the festival to develop their own local athletes to become world-class athletes, building sports infrastructures and empowering their athletes and coaches through sports entrepreneurship.
He went on to shower praises on the Lagos State Government for creating the Lagos Sports Trust Fund to empower the athletes who have done well for the state in the past.
Fatodu, however, highlighted the benefits available for the athletes representing the Team Lagos, saying that Lagos would continue to develop and promote athletes who would represent the country in future international tournaments.
