The Lagos State Sports Commission has unveiled plans that will bolster the state’s gains from the just-concluded National Youth Games (NYG) held in Delta State.
The Team Lagos took second place overall, maintaining its previous position for the fourth time in a row.
Represented by over 300 athletes who competed in 33 individual and team events during the 10-day celebration in Asaba, the Lagos team won 62 medals; 21 gold, 19 silver and 21 bronze.
The management of the sports commission summarized the Lagos team’s participation in the National Youth Games after the event and described the successful trip as an indicator for the further development of grassroots and school sports.
Executive Chairman Sola Aiyepeku, Directors and Heads of Departments have congratulated the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, government agencies and key stakeholders on the success at the National Youth Games.
Aiyepeku said the Sports Commission would organize more competitions to stimulate the interest of young athletes and encourage them to become successful athletes who would represent the country at international championships.
Aiyepeku also called for a critical review of the National Youth Games with the aim of changing the age group categorization of development competitions in line with international best practices.
Nunayon Travih, director of sports development said that the athletes would be given a platform to compete with their seniors in all competitions and if they dethrone the senior athletes, they would be eligible to represent the state at the Gateway Games National Sports Commission next year.
“We will continue to provide them with a platform to disseminate their talents and that cannot be withheld from them.” »
Director of Public Affairs, Oshodi-Eko Titilayo, stressed that the management approach at the Youth Games did not only focus on the medals won by the state but added that the focus was on the athletes’ individual performances.
“Before we went for the Games in Asaba we had a “celebration series” to celebrate each athlete and to encourage others to put up a good feat. “Our youngest athlete, 8-year-old golfer, Oyero Beauty was celebrated for her heroic Performance having played 18 holes for over five hours on the course.
“Some Team Lagos athletes have also been invited to the national camp to represent Nigeria. Some outstanding thletes who featured in the National Youth Games will also participate in the National Sports Festival which will come up in Ogun State next year”
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Director of School Sports, Oluyomi Oluwasanmi highlighted that the pool of talents that represented the state was drawn from private and public schools.
“Lagos State” won 7 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals in swimming. So, barring a single gold medal in Ilorin in 2021, we see that collaboration between the Ministry of Education and private school owners is quickly yielding positive results.
The Head of the Technical Department, Uthman Okunnu, said: “Here in Lagos, our athletes are constantly monitored without the need for them to travel. Because we have our own facilities on site. There is a lot of material for them.
“Victory may not be our goal here, but we want to see the transition from one phase to the next where they become our property.”
The Director of Facilities, Deji Aladegbemi, noted that Lagos is the only state that regularly hosts local and international tournaments, adding that the Center of Excellence will continue to closely monitor young talents to reach the peak of their careers.
The State’s achievements at the National Youth Games are the result of development plans implemented over the years and Lagos has over the years supported the development of school sports and encouraged young people to combine sports and studies.
The Youth Games, organized to facilitate the discovery of promising talents in the country for their further development, has resulted in many Lagos State athletes being selected by the Federal Ministry of Sports through the Sports Federations for further training and exposure.
The Lagos team dominated Asaba 2023 swimming competition for the first time in the history of the National Youth Games, leading the state to victory in the competition with 16 medals. 7 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze.
Excluding Zamfara, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory participated in the 7th National Youth Games with over 5,000 athletes participating in various events.
