With the Executive Support from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Team Lagos is set to compete in the 5th National Youth Games, which holds inside the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, north central Nigeria.
Except Basketball, Team Lagos is taking part in all the listed sports for the competition designed for the U-15 athletes across the federation.
P.M. EXPRESS reports that with right leadership coupled with intensive preparations motivated with the support of the Governor, Team Lagos is out to surpass the second position outing of last year’s Games.
Both the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh and the Director General of the Commission, Mr.Oluwatoyin Gafaar have strong belief that Team Lagos is good to go.
“We are ready. But I will like to commend our governor, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the support he has been given us. He made us lack nothing in the last three months of his administration,” Dr. Tandoh said.
“We have our own medical screening and the closed camp. We also did insurance for our athletes. We worked closely with the Ministry of Education so that our athletes would be given preference staying out of schools during the Games. This is a synergy that has been working for us in Lagos.
“Technically in terms of expectations from our athletes, last year we performed very well, we came second in our maiden outing in the Games. This year, we have expanded our participation in more sports, and I know that our this year will be better than last year,” he said.
“We are good to go,” said the Director General, Mr. Gafaar, while given an assessment of the level of preparedness of Team Lagos.
“We were at the Zonal Eliminations in Ibadan where we secured 9 out of 14 team sports tickets available for the six south west states.
“Immediately after the Ibadan contests, the athletes were moved into a closed camp at CMS Grammar School in Bariga. We have given our athletes preparation that will make them excel at the Youth Games and nothing short of good outing is our expectations.
“We have everything ever ready. The Executive Governor of the State has always been there for us with his assistance and support. The athletes from their closed camp went straight to the venue of the championship in Ilorin. What I can ask for is that ‘Let the Games Starts’,” Mr. Gafaar said.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Team Lagos comprises 248 athletes 45 coaches and 65 other officials, who including medical personnel, association secretaries and others.
The athletes were lodged at two private hostels inside the University of Ilorin; Arafims Private Hostel (male) and Bethany Private Hostel (female).