18 October 2007
Lagos — Lagos State determined to recapture its lost sports glory has unfolded a programme to throw up 1, 000 young sports men and women for the state through the Lagos State Sports Month.
The event planned to be an annual programme kicks off next week Wednesday and ends on the 17th of next month after which talents discovered will be properly nurtured to help the state once again become a major force in sports.
This much was disclosed Tuesday by Dr. Dolapo Badru, Special Adviser to the Governor Babatunde Fashola on Youth, Sports and Social Development, who said they would be going a step further this time around by keeping tabs on the talents discovered during the programme.
"Unlike in the past when those discovered are left to their own devises, we intend to monitor them continually so they can provide top flight services for the state and the country in general."
According to Dr. Badru in order to realise this goal, the state's Sports Council had been broken into four departments, with one unit saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the athletes.
"Once we get the athletes we want after the sports month, they will be assigned counsellors from the sports council whose sole responsibility is looking after the welfare and progress of the athletes. So, for instance, should an athlete fall sick, his counsellor would be aware of his plight and notify the medical unit of the sports council, which would promptly dispatch a doctor to treat the athlete."
Speaking in a lighter mood, the Special Adviser, who insisted that the Fashola government was sports friendly, said when he sees an 'area boy' running from police and jumping obstacles he sees a 'potential athlete' in the making.
"Sports is big business and if well managed can go a long way in taking such people of the street and make them become more productive to society. Such people will also make a decent living for themselves."
The 'Lagos Olympics' will see schools and youths in the state competing for honours in the Principals' Cup, Sports Festival, U-13 football and U-15 swimming competitions. However, only eight disciplines will competed for during the Sports Festival.
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