The Lagos State Government on Friday opened a new vista in its quest to develop sports in the state with the official flag off of a new innovation where students will combine active sporting activities with education.
Independent News Express reports that at a well-attended ceremony held inside the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere Lagos southwest Nigeria, an exciting launch of the Lagos State School Sports Intervention Programme (LASSIP), an initiative designed to reintegrate sports back into the school’s curriculum, was held amid pomp.
The scheme, which is another commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unprecedented investments in youth development, provides more options and opportunities for students to excel in sports and academics.
The program is the first of its kind initiative which was introduced by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Sports Commission partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Education to deepen the state’s commitment to developing and transforming schools sports.
Speaking at the flagged-off ceremony, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Olusegun Dawodu stated that the Lagos State School Sports Intervention Programme, which was conceived two years ago, has the blessing of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Commissioner emphasized the importance of the initiative to a Greater Lagos agenda of Governor Sanwo-Olu, adding that LASSIP will provide an opportunity for the schools to groom students who will excel in sports and education. According to him, the programme will be held in different batches for over 400 Games Masters and Mistresses.
Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Sola Aiyepeku said LASSIP’s broad vision includes leveraging sports to promote physical fitness and wellness, offer alternative career paths to young people and create a sustainable pipeline of talent discovery and development.
Aiyepeku stated that through the partnership with the Ministry of Education and collaboration of the six education districts, the state-wide training programme will attain its full potentials which are gains beyond encouraging participation.
He revealed that the Lagos State Sports Commission has commenced the training of over 400 sports masters and physical education teachers across Lagos as a first step in the deployment of the LASSIP.
“We are also planning to educate the parents for them to allow their children to participate in sports and the career paths that exist in Sports”, Aiyepeku added.
The Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin, who commended the LSSC Boss for working closely with the Education Districts since the inception of the present administration, lauded the timely LASSIP initiative and also acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State Government through the LSSC for the training mapped out for the Games Masters/ Mistresses and Physical Education Teachers in order to contribute meaningfully to the development of school sports in the state.
