Sanwo-Olu rewards Team Lagos for National Youth Games feat
Sanwo-Olu rewards Team Lagos for National Youth Games feat
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment in unlocking the potential of the youth through the power of sports.
Sanwo-Olu said this at a reception organised in honour of the Lagos State contingent to the eighth National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta.
The governor hosted the 270 student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and parents at a reception on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, stated that the government would continue to nurture the potential of youths in the state.
He added that together, government, parents and guardians would build a brighter future where sports and education thrived side by side, shaping the champions of tomorrow.
The governor also commended the courage, resilience, uprightness, and honesty displayed by Team Lagos during the games.
He described the feat at the competition as merit-based, and a testament to the athletes youthfulness, vigour, and adherence to ethical standards without any age falsification or malpractices.
“Their remarkable achievements at the past eight editions have positioned Lagos as leaders in Nigeria’s school sports development,” he said.
He advised youths against drug abuse, cultism and other social vices, urging them to continue to walk the part of uprightness for an enviable future.
“Do not get involved in anything shady, or attempt to cut corners as your attitude will determine your altitude,” he said.
For emerging second overall and winning 66 medals, which included 26 gold, 20 silver, and 20 bronze, the governor pledged to give each gold medalists N200,000, silver medalists N150,000 each, while bronze medalists N100,000 each.
He added that participants without any medal would be rewarded with N50,000 each while their coaches would get N100,000 each.
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Earlier in his remarks, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, reiterated that the state government was committed to supporting the youth as the leaders of tomorrow.
Ogunlende, therefore, called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to provide a supportive platform for youths to excel and achieve their goals.
Mr Lekan Fatodu, the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, assured of continued use of the instrumentality of sports to break social barriers, and unleash the potential of the young ones.
“We will create opportunities that are more sustainable among our young people,” he said.
Fatodu noted that the commission had succeeded in changing the narrative and established Lagos State as the epicentre of sports excellence and development in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the parents of the athletes, Mr Godwin Egbebe, appealed to government to boost funding for the National Youth Games.
Egbebe underscored the critical need for enhanced financial resources to improve the accessibility of sports infrastructure for young participants.
He, however, commended the state government for the opportunity given to the children.
“Sporting events are levelers that bring all together irrespective of tribe, religion and status.
“Therefore, it should be encouraged among young people,” he said.
