By Akeem Lawal
TEAM Lagos comprising 142
athletes, 12 coaches and 23 officials, arrived Ibadan on Friday morning as the
South West Zonal Eliminations commence in the Oyo State Capital.
The Zonal Elimination which
is the qualifiers for the National Youth Games billed for Ilorin, Kwara State
in September will be contested by South West states; Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo,
Osun and Oyo. Team Lagos will compete for slots in team events such as
Basketball, Cricket, Football, Handball, Hockey and Volleyball.
Addressing the athletes
before the team departed Lagos, Director General, Lagos State Sports
Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafar urged the athletes to give their best in six
sports at the qualifiers in Ibadan having prepared adequately during their
training and camping.
“Since you are all ready
having been training all this while, you will be our ambassadors and I hope
none of you is in possession of any drugs and those stuffs. We taken our time
to look after you and pick you but more importantly you are going to represent
us and gradually as you grow, you are going to represent the country in the
future. I just want to encourage you to put in your best and be champions so
that at the end of the day, you will be celebrated and we will be proud of you
and by the special grace of God, you will be proud of us too,” Gafar said.
In his remarks, Executive
Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Dr. Kweku Tandoh admonished the
athletes to be disciplined, adding that the state would not tolerate athletes
misbehaving on and off the pitch.
“Some of you represented
Lagos at the last at the Youth Games. We are going to Ibadan and we expect the
best from you. We also want you to be disciplined. You all know what the state
is known for; Center of excellence. All of you must display that excellence not
just on the pitch but even in your hostels and accommodations. Let everyone see
you and say those athletes from Lagos are well behaved, very disciplined, well
brought up children and talented athletes. It is an honour to represent the
state and we will be there to support you,” Tandoh said.
The Chairman assured the
team of the support of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who has
provided everything that is required for the athletes to excel while urging
them to bring back glory to the state.
“I want to extend the best
wishes of His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to each and everyone of
you. He wishes you the best and he is supporting the team fully, so you have to
put in your best. By the grace of God, all of you will qualifier for main games
in Ilorin and we will go there and triumph,” Tandoh said.
The 5th National Youth Games
is billed for Ilorin, Kwara State will hold from September 7th to 17th at the
University of Ilorin. At the last edition, Team Lagos placed second overall
with 60 medals; 23 gold, 15 silver and 22 bronze.
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