Parents of the athletes representing Lagos State at the ongoing U-15 National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, are full of praises to the Lagos State Government for giving their children the opportunity to showcase their talents on a national platform like the NYG.
The parents are enthusiastic seeing their wards competing for the first time with their peers from different states of the federation.
Speaking on behalf of the parents of the athletes, Mrs Tolani Akanbi said participating in the games will further enhance experience of the athletes through the exposure provided by the national event.
She commended the Lagos State Government for ensuring that the kids have the opportunity to compete against their counterparts from other states.
The Swimming event of the 8th National Youth Games was concluded on Sunday with Lagos athletes claiming medals in various disciplines including the blue ribbon event.
The boys and girls finished the games strong, winning silver medal in the mixed 4 by 50 metres medley relay as the team finished second behind host, Delta State.
The quartet of Chioma Kanu, Adenusi Imran, Demilade Akanbi and Chidelu Ezumba closed the event with another podium finish for Team Lagos.
In addition to the Silver medal in the relay, won two gold medals and achieve new Personal Best time in the 50 and 100 meters freestyle. Akanbi also added two gold medals from the 50 and 100 meters butterfly while Ezumba claimed two gold medals and achieved new Personal Best time in the 50 and 100 meters freestyle.
The swimmers who were cheered on at the Swimming Pool of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, acknowledged the impact of podium finishes at the National competition, looking forward to represent the country at global championships.
Lagos amassed 10 medals; 4 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze to finish second on the medals table for the keenly contested Swimming events at the National Youth Games.
Eighteen states participated in the swimming event and 12 were registered on the medals table while six states failed to win any medal.
Meanwhile, Team Lagos clinched four medals; two gold and two bronze in the table tennis event at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State with rising star, Aishat Rabiu winning the cadet girls title.
Rabiu defeated Chinenye Okafor from Abia State in the keenly contested girls singles final, beating her opponent 3-2 (11-8,7-11,9-11,11-9,11-8), adding to the gold medal she won in the girls doubles with Faisat Musbau.
The cadet girls singles final which went down to the wire had Team Lagos contingent, celebrating another incredible victory on Sunday.
Rabiu also won bronze in the mixed doubles with Hussien Adeoye while Balikis Ajasa secured bronze in the cadet girls singles, adding another medal to the team’s haul as table tennis event climaxed at the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba.
While praising the boys and girls for their performance at the National Youth Games, former Table Tennis star and Olympian, Bose Kaffo expressed excitement with the performance and determination shown by the players.