Newly Released Sports Reforms Will Track And Stop Athletes From Dumping Lagos – DG Fatodu

The era of poaching of Lagos athletes for competition purposes by some states in the country will soon be over going by the reforms being put in place by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government.

At an unveiling media conference held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere on Friday, both the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, and the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Lekan Fatodu, emphasised that henceforth athletes would find it difficult to dump the state for unreasonable juicy packaged dangle at them by some states in Nigeria.

Sports Market International reports that the newly unveiled reforms is an embodiment of renewed vision for sports to give an enduring all-around sports development targeted at giving better life and a career dependable future for the athletes.

“We cannot afford to be doing the same thing over and over again and expect to move forward.

“We are going digital in the administration of sports in Lagos. Plans are underway to reconstitute a new team with renewed discipline, stronger energy, and competitive spirit. I therefore call on aspiring athletes to seize this opportunity and register at https://lssc.lg.gov.ng/athlete-registration/.

“After the registration, they will undergo biometric capturing. The essence of this is for us to have a comprehensive data base, the first time in the history of the this administration. The reforms will also help us achieve greater result in human development and athletes revitalisation.

“After the registration, we will come out with an inclusive new rules of engagement. Gone are the days when athletes would be threatening the government. We want to put a discipline structure in place.

“Our marketing intelligence findings revealed that those states that poached our athletes only gave them false hope. They were being deceived.

“Our plan now is to give them a kind of mutually agreeable contracts that both parties will adhere to. On our own part, we will provide necessary enabling environment for them to succeed even after retirement.

“We will also provide them identity cards for proper identification of these athletes because we discovered that there are many impostors claiming to be our athletes.

“We are introducing biometric data capture for proper profiling, access to facility and monitoring, alongside career sustainability programmes for life after competition. Athletes will benefit from pathways into coaching, administration, and other professions.

“Regular assessments will ensure discipline and fairness. Athletes who show no measurable improvement after three consecutive National Sports Festivals will be disengaged, with clear support systems provided for transition,” said the DG, flanked by some top management staff of the Sports Commission during the press conference.

To give structure to these reforms, Sports Market International understands that the state government is set to introduce the Team Lagos Reform & Transition Policy.

“This policy will set clear benchmarks for both athletes and coaches, supported by transparent retention, disengagement, and probation protocols.

“It also provides exit systems that include skills acquisition, entrepreneurship training, and potential job placement support, ensuring that no athlete or coach is left behind after service.

“New athletes and coaches will come in through a clear onboarding process, while appeal and reconsideration mechanisms will guarantee fairness. Special consideration will be given to sportsmen among the dissolved Team Lagos athletes who have demonstrated excellence,” Fatodu said.

For a steady inflow of talent, Lagos will soon launch the Team Lagos Open Trials 2025 across all IBILE divisions. Alongside this, sports talent hubs will be mapped across the State to ensure equal access to opportunity and representation.

“To track progress, we will appoint a sports officer who will act as Athletes’ Liaison Officer, preferably an ex-athlete, who will serve as the direct bridge between athletes and the Commission.

“In addition, we are establishing a Team Lagos Monitoring Unit (TLMU) under the Office of the Director General. This unit will conduct biannual reviews, track KPIs, and publish an Annual State of Team Lagos Report.”

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Ogunlende, said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to see the Ministry and the sports commission working together to achieve sustainable development for sports in the state, adding that no anybody will be left behind.

“We want to hold ourselves accountable, transparent and give our athletes opportunities to compete on the global stage.

“The reforms rolled out today is he first step, and we won’t tolerate any level of indiscipline because the reforms will guide us all,” he said.