The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has hailed the athletes’ historic performance at the just concluded 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking with the triumphant Team Lagos via Zoom, Governor Sanwo-Olu notes that, as young athletes, they have just started their careers across different disciplines, stating that the state will nurture the youngsters to compete at the senior categories and represent the country at the highest level.
Team Lagos was crowned the champions of the NYG established in 2013 for the first time, having amassed 110 medals (52 gold, 36 silver, and 26 bronze).
Delta State finished second with 114 medals (37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze), while Edo State came third with 79 medals (33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze).
Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the newly crowned champions to continue to stay focused, be disciplined, shun drugs, and train very well in all their endeavours.
“You are just starting at ages 13, 14, and 15. You still have 10-15 years ahead of you. You have to keep yourself well and avoid anything that will make you get injured. Avoid anything that will be an embarrassment to your parents or to your school”, he advised.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, however, commended the Lagos youngsters for their perseverance, commitment and grit shown during the games as good ambassadors of the Centre of Excellence while assuring the state government’s continuous interventions in sports development.
While encouraging the young athletes, Mr. Governor stressed that those who did not win any medal at the games should not relent that they need to go back, retrain and train harder, adding that those who won medals should not rest on their laurels and see it as a stepping stone for better things to happen in their lives.
“I am excited that our young athletes from Lagos State are showing the entire nation how to do it. I am even more excited that we are the best, and we have shown them that we’re the best,” Governor Sanwo-Olu noted.
Director-General, Lagos State Sport Commission, Lekan Fatodu, expressed profound thanks to Mr Sanwo-Olu for his support and infrastructural investments for the overwhelming achievements under his leadership.
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Lagos State is successfully reclaiming its status as the leading sports superpower in Nigeria. “We are proud of you, sir”.
He applauded all the Directors, SSAs, officials and coaches for a job well done, expressing immense pride in their collective efforts and offering his heartfelt congratulations to each member of the LSSC for the achievements.