The ongoing 21st National Sports Festival taking place in Asaba Delta State enters its Day 6 on Tuesday. There have been winnings and losses across the states participating in the national tournament. Team Lagos are among the states’ contingents giving great push on the medal table with the impact being felt within the Top 3.
P.M. EXPRESS caught with some chairmen of sports associations who have been on ground in Asaba to give support to the athletes. This support has indeed gone a long way in boosting the morale of the athletes and encouraging them to their winning ways.
Mrs. Biola Lawal, Chairman of Chairmen, Lagos State Sports Association, Chairperson Lagos State Traditional Sports Association and member, Governing Board, Lagos State Sports Commission
There is no doubt the fact that Lagos is a hub of sports in Nigeria and our athletes are good ambassadors. In Lagos we build, and we train athletes for success. We are in Delta to win, and we are progressing.
The chairmen of all the sports associations have been meeting for strategic reasons to ensure that all the activities of the associations are well coordinated. This is a continuous meeting to brief ourselves of what happens on daily basis, assess situations and strategizes against the next day.
As the tournament is progressing, my message to Team Lagios is that I love them, I was once an athlete and I want to say a big thank you to my Governor, Mr Sellable and my Director General who is a man of the people. They have been wonderfully to the athletes. You can see that the athletes are happy. They should put more effort to do the state proud.
<strong><em>Mrs Opeifa of Handball Association (left) with one of the athletes</em></strong>
Mrs Adeola Opeifa, Chairperson, Lagos State Handball Association
It is being wonderful seeing our athletes performing well in this tournament. We all know that sports is all about participation, whether lose or win. There has been a lot of fun. Our girls in handball could not make it far in their event, but we have our boys still in the race for the ultimate prize. The girls lost concentration in their last game midway, before they knew what was happening, they could not make it. But we are happy that they proved themselves.
I love the passion Team Lagos athletes have competing in this competition. Despite some hiccups when we got here due to some organisational lapses from the host, they were able to rise to the occasion and braced up to the challenges of the competition. I am so happy for the team and the results are coming in good for us.
The instant cash award is a beautiful effort from the state government. I am seeing this for the for first time, and I think it is a good way to let our winners feel a sense of belonging that their hardworking is being noticed by the authorities. I thin this is a show of appreciation from the state government.
<em><strong>The taekwondo team</strong></em>
Mr. Omololu Bello, Chairman, Lagos State Karate Association
Karate event will be very interesting more than what we saw at the Edo sports festival. We expect better officiating, technical abilities, and even discover talents for our state. We will improve on our medal haul this time; we trained the athletes ahead of this tournament and I want to say that Lagos is a team to beat.
I am so excited with the reward package giving to the athletes to motivate them for working hard to represent the state at this national level. The token is to appreciate the athletes. I know special award is coming up from the state government.
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