The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, has applauded the athletes’ sterling outing at the ongoing National Youth Games South-West Zonal Elimination Ball Games in Osogbo, Osun State, stating that the commission has been able to engage the youth, providing them with an avenue to showcase their talents.
Expressing the state’s readiness for the NYG proper, Fatodu praised the commitment and support of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in ensuring that the state excels in Asaba.
He acknowledged the huge investment in the team’s welfare and preparations, noting that the LSSC has meticulously selected the athletes representing the state.
Lagos volleyball boys’ team trounced host Osun 2-0 (21-7, 21-5), while the Lagos female volleyball team also recorded a 2-0 win against Osun (25-16, 25-10).
The female football team defeated Oyo 3-1, while the Team Lagos boys defeated Ekiti State 2-1 in the football event, with Muhammed Habeeb scoring both goals.
In the hockey event, the Lagos female team trashed Osun 3-0, giving them an edge in their next encounter, while the Lagos handball girls defeated Oyo 9-5 to prove the level of their dominance in the ongoing qualifications.
The highly competitive zonal elimination has been dominated by Team Lagos as the competition nears its climax.
In his reaction, Lagos State Sports Commission Board member, Professor Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, reaffirmed the commitment of the state to maintaining the leading role in sports development, stating that the National Youth Games serve as a platform to showcase budding talents.
Fatai-Abatan emphasised the state’s dominance of the zonal elimination and the need to translate the results into successful outings at the Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Team Lagos is represented by 188 athletes at the South West Zonal Elimination in Osogbo, competing for slots in eight sports, namely football, basketball, cricket, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, hockey, and abula.
Lagos is poised to claim multiple slots for the forthcoming National Youth Games as the curtain falls on the South West zonal elimination, with participating states expected to depart on Sunday (today).
