In its bid to continue using the instrumentality of sports to shape the career of youths, giving an avenue for boxers and up-and-coming stars, to hone their skills, and in preparation for upcoming national competitions, the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu has reiterated that the State Government is determined to encourage sports development at the grassroots level.
He stated this at the ongoing 2024 Lagos Individual Boxing Club Championship at the Bishop Aggey Senior Secondary School in Mushin, emphasising the significance of the initiative in promoting a sense of belonging among youths in the community while encouraging a culture of better understanding, self-discipline and self-development among youths.
Fatodu, while declaring the championship open, said the purpose of having the tournament in Mushin is because boxing is one of the engagements that are peculiar to the community, adding that the potentials of youths need to be harnessed and encouraged as a way of identifying raw talents that would represent the state and country at the national and international levels.
The Director of Sports Development, LSSC, Nunayon Travih remarked that the tournament was in tandem with the mantra of the present administration in not leaving anyone behind, using the platform to identify talents that will be groomed for the National Sports Festival and those that will be monitored to develop their career path and have a means of livelihood.
Also speaking, Omolei Imadu, Founder of Yucateco Boxing League, heaped praises on the Lagos State Government for creating an enabling environment, always giving listening ears and aiding athletes’ sports development.
Directors from the Lagos State Sports Commission and Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Sports Development, Grassroots and Sports Marketing and Partnership, Damilare Orimoloye, Adebanji Atewogboye and Onaopemipo Adu were all present at the event.
