…Legislator advocates emergency sport halls by FGN
By Omolola Dede Adeyanju
Lagos has pumped up a burning passion, intensifying the spirit of sport in the people of the state as various youths, teenagers, children and even the elderly converged to compete for huge prizes up for grab at the Sporty Lagos 3.0 on Saturday.
The event which was organized by the Lagos state government through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroot Sports Development was held in Lagos, Rowe Park, Yaba on Saturday. It featured a variety of sport activities such as; Long tennis, Skating, Basketball, football, Chess, ludo, weightlifting, table tennis, konfu, boxing, Scrabble amongst others.
Meanwhile, a number of teams and individuals were given prizes in cash and kind, amongst which is Josoeh street, the team Winners of the Lagos street soccer 2025 who received a sum of five hundred thousand naira cash prize, amongst others.
The event also received several donations, a million naira donation from dignitaries such as; President of female professionals, Lagos State, Barr. Omowunmi Ogungbaibi; Legislator, Oshodi-Isolo constituency, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe and others.
However, the organizer of the grassroot sport, SSA to the Governor on Grassroot Sports Development, Lagos, Mr Adebanji Atewogboye also known as SKIBANJ noted that the program is aimed at creating a platform for youths and sports professionals such as sportsmen, women, coaches, club managers, owners and sports enthusiasts across five divisions in Lagos to converge in one event for all types of sports and games.
SKIBANJ in addition commended the state government for being a pace-setter in concern for the people’s wellbeing, thereby amplifying the spirit of sport in the youths and people at large. He pledged the state’s commitment to ensuring the development of sport activities in building the society economically, socially and health wise.
Furthermore, Legislator from the house of representative, Oshodi-Isolo constituency, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe examined Lagos as the heart of excellence and a role model to other states. “If we use the minds of the youths positively, it will add value to them and dissuade them from criminal activities” he said.
On his submission that the Oshodi-Isolo constituency is known for sporting activities, Hon Stephen called on the government to ensure Sporting facilities are made available in all local government areas. In his opinion, the honourable resolved that the President of the federation should declare an emergency sport hall in each of the states and ensure facilities are placed adequately, especially in the northern and eastern areas of the country.
“Not everyone has the opportunity of going to the university. We should start engaging the youths in other spheres of knowledge. The sporting academy should be in all states where they can receive certificates from what they do. As we have colleges of education, technical colleges and the likes, we should also have that for sports where the youths can be trained by educators and get formal engagements as well.’ he added.
The moderator of the Sporty Lagos 3.0, Media personality, Chief Yinka Kenny did an evaluation of the event. She stated that Sporty Lagos 3.0 is more competitive, it has more sponsors giving out tremendous prizes to participants and is well organized, with apparent decorum and excitements within the participants. “It is a laudable event and a very beautiful way to end the year.” she commended.
Also, the Social media Executive, Planet bottling company (Makers of American Cola), Omowunmi sulaimon expressed that the American Cola is indebted to participation in sporting activities and Youths concerns. Stressing that the brand organizes a basketball competition annually for this course. She urged youths to be positive and confident while examining diverse opportunities open to them in the sport sphere.
Sporty Lagos 3.0 estimately hosted thousands of people all commending the organizers and looking forward to a bigger Sporty Lagos 4.0 with bigger prizes to compete for.
