LSSC reviews 2023 NYG participation, unveils plans for discovered talents

Posted : 07 October 2023

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) on Friday held a programme for the review of its athletes participation in the just-concluded 7th National Youths Games (NYG) and also unveiled plans that would enhance the gains of the state from the games.

The review was done at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere with the LSSC official including it's Chairman Mr Sola Aiyepeku, Director General, Mr Oluwatoyin Gafaar, Director of Public Relations, Mrs Titi Oshodi-Eko among others.

Recall that Team Lagos finished second in overall medal table maintaining the previous position for the fourth consecutive time.

Team Lagos was represented by over 300 athletes who competed in 33 individual and team sports events during the 10 days fiesta held in Asaba, as Lagos amassed 62 medals; 21 gold, 19 Silver and 21 bronze.

At the post event review held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Team Lagos participation at the NYG, the management of LSSC described the successful outing as a signpost of what to come in grassroots and schools development.

The LSSC Executive Chairman, Sola Aiyepeku alongside Directors and Heads of Departments, expressed the Sports Commission appreciation to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Government agencies and key stakeholders, for the success attained at the NYG.

He said Sports Commission will organise more competitions to sustain the interest of Youth and encourage them to become successful athletes that will represent the country at international championships.

Aiyepeku also called for critical assessment of the National Youth Games, seeking the re-categorization of age range for developmental competitions in line with international best practices.

The Director Sports Development, Nunayon Travih, said the athletes would be given the platform to compete with their seniors in all the trials and where they detroned the senior athletes.

``They will be allowed to represent the state at the next year Gateway Games.

``We will continue to give them that platform to expose and they will not be denied of that as well,'' he said.

The Director Public Affairs, Oshodi-Eko Titilayo stated that during the NYG ,the focus was not just on the medals the state won, adding that the focus was on individual athlete performance.

``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 5 hours on the course.

``Some Team Lagos Athletes have also been invited to the National Camp to represent Nigeria.

``Some outstanding Athletes who featured in the National Youth Games will also participate in the National Sports Festival which will come up in Ogun State next year,'' she said.

The Director School Sports, Oluyomi Oluwasanmi highlighted that the pool of talents that represented the state was drawn from private and public schools.

``Lagos State came overall in swimming with seven gold, four silver and five bronze medals.

``We have moved from one gold medal in Ilorin in 2021, we can see the collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the private school proprietors is fast yielding a positive results,'' he said.

Uthman Okunnu Head Technical Department, added: ``We have our players steadily monitored here in Lagos without going to anywhere.

``We have our facilities in place. Equipment for them is abound; winning might not be our goal here, but we want to see that move from one stage to the other, where they become our own property,'' he said.

The Director Facilities Department, Deji Aladegbemi pointed out that Lagos was the only state that consistently organised local and international tournaments.

``Lagos as Centre of Excellence will continue to monitor the young talents closely for onward transition to the summit of their career,'' he said.

Oshodi-Eko rounded off saying that the state’s achievement at the 2023 NYG has been a result of developmental plans over the years.

``Lagos has been championing the growth of schools sports over the years and encouraging young people to combine sports with academics.

``The annual games created to facilitate the discovery of budding talents in the country for further development produced a number of Lagos State athletes.

``The athletes were the one selected by the Federal Ministry of Sports through the Sports Federation for further training and exposure.

``Team Lagos dominated the swimming events at the Asaba 2023 for the first time in the history of NYG with students all drawn from private schools leading the state to top the competition with 16 medals; 7 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze.

With exception of Zamfara, 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory participated at the 7th NYG with over 5000 athletes participating in various events.

LSSC reviews 2023 NYG participation, unveils plans for discovered talents

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