Foundation distributes equipment to 57 councils

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, commended the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund (LSSTF) for exceeding the expectations of its founders, who saw the establishment of the fund as a vehicle to harness the huge youth population for society’s benefit.

Sanwo-Olu said that he was particularly pleased by the renovation of the Rowe Park, Yaba, restoration of sports in schools and the LSSTF’s grassroots development efforts, which he said would help the state unearth new stars.

Speaking while declaring open the LSSTF’s distribution of equipment to the 57 local councils and local council development areas yesterday, Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, said: “When we reconstituted this board a year ago, we gave them a clear mandate: revive Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, restore sports to our public schools, and take sports back to the grassroots. From what I have seen today and what you have reported, you have delivered and even surpassed our expectations. Thank you.

“My administration believes that sports is not a luxury, it is a necessity; it is a critical pillar of our Themes+ Agenda, especially youth engagement, social inclusion and health.

“For us, this distribution is not just about table tennis boards, basketball stand and hooks, football and the rest. it is about three things: First, it is about security and youth engagement.

“When we engage our youths in the field of play, we take them away from the streets and away from crime. An idle youth is a danger to society, but a busy youth in sports is an asset to Lagos.”

“Second, it is about talent discovery. Lagos is blessed. The next Victor Osimhen, the next Tobi Amusan, the next Anthony Joshua will not be discovered in Europe, he will be discovered in our LGs/LCDAs- in Badagry, in Epe, in Ikorodu, in Agege. We are going to catch them young from the grassroots.”

“Third, it is about health and education. We want our children to be healthy and to learn teamwork, discipline and leadership. That is why my government will continue to support the LSSTF.

“I have been reliably informed that this is the second phase of your grassroots intervention, this year, after the distribution of sports equipment to 1,020 public primary schools across the state and the total rehabilitation of Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba. That is commendable.”

He charged the local council chairmen to “go back and immediately activate your Local Organising Committees, rekindle your Inter-Ward and Inter-School competitions.”

He also called on the private sector to support the sports trust fund model, reiterating that government cannot shoulder the responsibility of developing sports alone.

Earlier, LSSTF Chairman, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, highlighted the interventions made by the fund recently, including the complete rehabilitation of the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba; reconstruction of the Olympic-size swimming pool, warm-up pool and 250-seater spectators’ stand; complete renovation of five outdoor courts; full renovation of the Indoor Sports Hall (Mobolaji Johnson Indoor Sports Hall); and the rehabilitation of the dilapidated squash courts hall.

He said that beyond infrastructure, LSSTF has continued to invest directly in the our future, which it has done through the procurement and distribution of sports equipment to 1,020 public primary schools through the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB); procurement and distribution of sports equipment to 644 public secondary schools through the six education districts in Lagos State; procurement and distribution of sports equipment to five tertiary institutions in Lagos State; continuous training and retraining of state athletes and coaches to improve podium performance and the sponsorship and support for various disability games and other major sports competitions across Lagos State.

“Today’s distribution to the 57 LGs and LCDAs is the next phase of that grassroots revolution. We are not merely handing out table tennis boards, basketball stands and hoops, balls, nets, Scrabble and dictionary sets, chess and ludo boards, fully kitted first aid boxes, and other sports equipment, we are planting the seeds of future Olympians, Paralympians and world champions in every ward, every street, and every community in Lagos State.

“Each LG/LCDA will receive a complete set of sports equipment tailored for table tennis, basketball, football, volleyball, athletics and other key sports. This will empower your Local Sports Officers and School Games Masters to revive inter-street, inter-ward and inter-LCDA competitions.”

After the speeches, the governor’s representative and LSSTF members joined in handing over the equipment to the local councils.