‘We have reordered Lagos’ sports for better future’
Deji Tinubu
Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Mr. Deji Tinubu, at the weekend revealed that the merger of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development has helped to reorder the sector for a focused and more rewarding future.
Speaking while enumerating the achievements of the current administration in the state, he said the Sports Commission has been able to “negotiate with several sports bodies and interests to support the development of our human capacity, facilities, competition hosting and sports administration as well as management.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) former board member also revealed that they have created seven directorates in line with the vision of setting up the Sports Commission, adding that the directorates include Sports Development Institutional/School Sports, Sports Facilities Management, Sports Medicine, Technical, Accounts and Administration and Human Resources.
On this year’s Copa beach soccer and other competitions to be hosted by the Commission, Tinubu said: “Lagos State has secured hosting rights for the 2016 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations in December this year. The LSSC initiatedthe bid in tandem with Kinetic Sports, Copa Lagos organisers.
“The competition also serves as official qualifiers for the 2017 FOFA Beach Soccer World Cup, a process his excellency was involved in from initiation to conclusion.
“We have also been confirmed as host city for the 2018 African Athletics Championship and are in talks for an international basketball event.”
He revealed that the visit of FC Barcelona to Lagos is yielding fruits with the decision of the Spanish club to set up the First FCB Escola Academy, adding that the Badminton and Squash Classics, as well as the yearly Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, which were inherited from the previous administration in the state, have continued to grow bigger.
“In addition, the first ever Lagos Cycling Tour is being planned to take place this year, even as we are about to kick-start our major grassroots programme where sports hubs will be created and set up in our divisions in schools and spaces within communities and localities. Children will have access to ‘after school’ sports activities at entry and developmental levels in secured, organized, controlled environs.
“The LSSC website is ready and marketing materials are being practically ready for distribution. We have also initiated the process that would result in ATM kiosks installed in all our major sport facilities,” he said.
