Lagos Will Present Strong Contingent At Sports Festival- Ambode

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has said that the state will present a strong contingent to the 19th National Sports Festival, which holds in Abuja from 6-16 December.

The Governor said this while receiving the Torch of Unity of the festival which is making its last lap of nationwide touring of the country at the Governor’s Office in Ikeja early on Monday.

The Coordinator, South West in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Ajao Olufemi presented the Torch to the Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, who in turn presented it to the Governor.

While receiving the Torch of Unity, Governor Ambode said the Lagos State Government knows the importance of sports to the unity of the nation, hence the resolve of the state to present a strong squad of Team Lagos in this year’s festival.

“I’m happy receiving this Torch today. I understand that the Torch is making its last lap of journey across the country and it is on its way to Abuja to signify the commencement of the 19th National Sports Festival.

“Lagos will make a strong presence at the competition as we will present a formidable squad to make us proud at the festival. We will be competing to win. We will also give our athletes all support to compete very well at the Festival.

“We all know the power of sports, that it is a tool for national unity, and as we are going into the election year, I would advise our politicians to always imbibe the spirit in the life of sports men and women, who despite defeat, they still embrace each other. Sports create bounding among the people,” Ambode said.

Giving the breakdown on the composition of Team Lagos to the sports festival, Chairman of the Sports Commission, Dr. Tandoh revealed that a total number of 442 athletes will represent Lagos at the festival with 81 coaches and 50 other officials. He added that the bulk of the athletes are those who have been representing Lagos in various levels of competitions and have excel well in the past.

“We are going to the sports festival with young athletes with zero tolerance to poaching. We are mindful of the fact that the festival had been thrown open for all athletes to compete; notwithstanding, Lagos will storm Abuja to compete and show the world that we are building future champions for our state and the country. In Lagos, we are for development,” Tandoh said.

The South West Coordinator of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Olufemi commended Governor Ambode for the hospitality the team with the Torch of Unity received during their stay in Lagos. He said with Lagos being the last lap of the Torch touring the country, the stage is now set for the commencement of the 19th National Sports Festival.