Dec. 24, 2023

The Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Oluwatoyin Gafaar has reiterated that the Commission would continue to leverage the existing development of sports, prioritise “Girl-Child” education and provide a serene environment for athletes to thrive.

Gafaar disclosed this at the final ceremony to mark the end of LSSC’s week-long sporting fiesta organised for members of staff to celebrate and deepen the relationship among the workforce, held at Volleyball Court of the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday.

Reeling out the plans for the year 2024, he lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for investing heavily in sports infrastructure, adding that in the first month of the new year, facilities undergoing facelift will be delivered.

“We have to give a big thank you to Mr. Governor for always being at our aid to show love to our children. Sports is mostly about youth engagement in line with the THEMES Plus agenda which includes Girl-Child education, youth development and others”.

“The key part of the roadmap is to have facilities to develop and expand the activities of youths in Lagos. That’s our target. To have our children, and younger ones where they can channel their energy”.

Speaking further Gafaar said the state will not rest on its oars in engaging the athletes in preparation for the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Ogun State, tagged: “Gateway Games”.

“What we have been doing is engaging our athletes in developmental programmes and initiatives, supporting their progress in national and international tournaments and the state will not relent in its efforts toward adequate preparations combined with the determination to succeed”, the DG averred.

In his submission, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Damilare Orimoloye posited that the State Government has its eyes on sports infrastructure turnaround and preparations are ongoing for the next national championships.

Dignitaries present at the ceremony to mark the end of the sports fiesta are board members of the Commission, Association Chairmen and SSA on Grassroots Sports, Adebanji Adeoye Atewogboye among others.

Team Strength had emerged as the overall champion in all the events of the week-long sporting fiesta with 48 points, having won 7 Gold, 10 Silver and 4 Bronze Medals.