DG Fatodu Optimistic NYG 2024 Will End Well For Team Lagos

The Director General, Lekan Fatodu celebrates victory with one of Lagos’ female boxers

The Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Hon. Lekan Fatodu has said that the state is looking forwarding to winning more gold medals as the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State progresses to its closing day.

Fatodu told journalists in Asaba on Tuesday that the state representatives in the championship have been doing wonderfully well in their respective sports activities going by the results, hence his optimism that Team Lagos will surely end well when the Games end on 19 September.

According to him, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been keeping tabs on what is going on in Asaba, and he is happy with the performances of the team.

“It’s really exciting and it’s really great. I can’t even express my feelings with a lot of gold medals and a lot of different wins across sports where our U-15 athletes are participating in the ongoing National Youth Games.

“This is an almost indescribable feeling, and it’s an excitement that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is constantly asking how the team is faring, and it is good that we are given him positive feedback. Today (Tuesday) has been extraordinary and exceptional for us with how our athletes have been winning gold medals in different sporting areas,” the Director General said.

Regarding the expectations as the competition ends on Thursday, Fatodu said: “We are optimistic that with a few hours to the end of the National Youth Games, we will be very positive that something big will still come up.

“On Wednesday, we are still going to compete in some strategic sporting engagements such as football, boxing and others. We are expecting gold medals. Definitely, we are still high in our optimism.

“Going forward, what we need to do for these brilliant athletes is to continue to motivate them, beef up their confidence to ensure that they stay on course.

“For these athletes, we discovered that in terms of zeal, energy, capacity and commitment, they are fully fit for the purpose. I am glad to say that we are having a potpourri of individuals that are suitable for many sports in Lagos State,” he said.

Eight-year-old Funmilayo Beauty Oyero (left) won silver in golf at the ongoing Games

The Director General was full of praises for the support the team have been receiving from the three Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) to the Governor who are physically presence in Asaba to be part of the competition, adding that “the presence of the three SSAs and the directors is a big motivation for us as a team. They made themselves available in every venue. This shows the power of collective vision and zeal and the power of teamwork in Lagos State.

“I believe that if we can stick to this, Lagos State; the Centre of Excellence, will be a reference point which other states will want to emulate in Nigerian sports,” he said.