Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Wahid Enitan-Oshodi, confirmed Monday that the state decided to make the Games free in order to rally crowds at venues.

The admission at venues was made free at all the sporting centres in a bid to encourage people to come and watch events of the festival.

"So far so good, the turn-out has been impressive but we need more people to visit the various centres across the state so as to watch the different events, free of charge," he said.

He acknowledged that some problems were encountered at the initial stages but that measures had since been to make necessary corrections.

"No doubts we had some minor challenges at the beginning of the festival, which was inevitable but we addressed such problems without delay because we want to make everybody comfortable," he said.

According to him, some states arrived in Lagos with more athletes than expected for the festival, which had affected the accommodation arrangements.

He said they had transportation challenges, which were also addressed.

Enitan-Oshodi said he was delighted at the category of young educated athletes that are representing at the festival, which he was part of the driving force of the Games.

"I am encouraged by the category of Lagos athletes, most of whom are talented students in the various sports. We want to give them the opportunity to develop," he said. NAN