… Rolls Out Sporting Initiatives To Discover, Develop Budding Talents
The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has reiterated its commitment to propagating grassroots sports development, stressing that the state government would continuously bring out initiatives that will improve sports and develop new talents across board.
The Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu made this known after the conclusion of the Lagos Individual Boxing Club Championship held at the Bishop Aggey playing ground, Ilassamaja, Mushin, Lagos recently.
Boxers from different boxing clubs in the state assembled for the week-long tourney designed to churn out more talents and to prepare them for the forthcoming “Gateway Games” in the neighbouring Ogun State.
He noted that the identified boxers will be presented to the sports association in the state so that their talents can be properly nurtured to further shape their career in their chosen discipline.
“We realised that there is a need for us to further engage the community, particularly the young people, in productive activities and also to help them harness their hidden sporting talents”, said Fatodu.
Abeeb Adekunle, who fought under the badge of Owonikoko Boxing Club, won a gold medal in the 80kg category, following his winning streak at the championship. Omotajo Semiu won a gold medal after dominating the 75kg weight category, while Lawal Ismail grabbed a gold medal in the 71kg.
Also, in the female weight categories, Adura Patience from Owonikoko Boxing Club, Divine Emmanuel, Owonikoko Boxing Club, and Jinadu Ikimat, Star Boxing Club, clinched gold medals in 70kg 86kg and 61kg respectively.
Director of Sports Development, LSSC, Nunayon Travih, stressed that the identified boxers at the championship would be monitored and guided to achieve their potential in the course of their discipline. Travih added that with their ability and dexterity in the boxing ring, they would be exposed to proper guidance and routine training to continue to hone their skills.
Director, Technical Department, LSSC, Uthman Olaribigbe Okunnu, posited that the championship is part of the lineup activities of the Commission to put the state’s athletes in the right form for the forthcoming national competitions.
He said apart from boxing, there are other events like blind sports, cricket, and softball, among others, coming up in different locations.
