Why States Must Take National Youth Games Serious – Lagos Director Of School Sports, Oluwasanmi

If Nigeria must get it right in terms of sports development, states across the geo-political zones of the country must begin to see how best they will tap into the opportunity availed them by the organisation of the National Youth Games.

This was the submission of a woman who has seen it all in the grassroots sports development, especially sports in the schools in Lagos State. She is Dr. (Mrs.) Oluyomi Oluwasanmi, the Lagos Director of School Sports in the Lagos State Sports Commission.

While speaking during a brief interview on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba where the 7th National Youth Games is taking place, Dr Oluwasanmi was emphatical that National Youth Games has been a platform that will safeguard the future of Nigerian sports if all stakeholders could channel all resources to invest in it.

“The significance of the National Youth Games cannot be overemphasized,” she said, adding: ” The Youth Games is a pathway to discover and groom new talents. You will agree with me that Nigeria has a lot of talents but they are gradually ageing, so we need a platform like this that will give us the opportunity to catch them young and I must confess, the Youth Games is that breeding ground.”

She advised athletes, coaches and officials to always play by the rules whenever they are competing in the National Youth Games, especially by allowing the children to freely express themselves.

“The children must not be encouraged to tell lies about their ages because it will be counterproductive for their future and more importantly, they should be given a chance to learn a few things outside sports. You can see what happened during the opening ceremony match past; the display by Team Lagos was so excellent. This is what we do in Lagos to give the kids all-round development,” Dr Oluwasanmi said.