Lagos Discovers 99 Student Athletes In Traditional Games

Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh (middle) presents a trophy to Creek High School, Apapa as the Best School in Abula at the just concluded 2nd edition of Lagos State Traditional Games.

 

The quest of Lagos State Government to have a large number of athletes in its reserve has been yielding fruits.

The just concluded 2nd edition of Lagos State Traditional Games which was held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe, Yaba has produced no fewer than 99 student athletes who were discovered in Abula, Kokowa, Ayo and Langa. The three day school sports competition featured about 658 students from 44 schools (public and private).

Facilitated by the Lagos State Sports Commission and organised by the Lagos State Traditional Sports Association, the second edition of the traditional games was keenly contested by students, and at the end of the tournament,  Ayo produced 20 male and 18 female student athletes. 16 female and 15 male athletes were discovered in Abula, while 15 male and 5 female athletes were discovered in Kokowa.

Speaking at the finals, Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh, chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, who led other management staff of the Commission, all wearing native attires to the final ceremony,  said that Lagos would leave nothing to chance to ensure that every athlete, irrespective of the sport he or she is interested in, is given attention and a sense of belonging to showcase sporting talent.

He said that the authorities believe athletes, especially in the schools, should be exposed to all sports, even beyond the mainstream popular sports. “These traditional sports are recognised at the national level, they are listed as one of the scoring sports in the National Sports Festival. And for us giving opportunities to our school children the chance to take part in these sporting activities is like not restricting them to some popular sports. We want them to showcase their creativities in other lesser sports as well.

“We will give those identified athletes the opportunity to grow and groom them especially as we are preparing for the National Sports Festival in Abuja this year, ” Tandoh said.

The chairman thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for giving the Sports Commission all support to deliver its mandates in Lagos sports. He also commended the officials for putting up a wonderful and colourful tournament.

Dr. Tandoh taking the kick off of the female final in Abula game between Creek High School, Apapa and Keke High School, Agege