Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inaugurated 44 chairmen of sports associations in the state, charging them to strengthen grassroots development, discover emerging talents and create sustainable pathways for athletes to achieve national and international success.
Speaking during the inauguration at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu described the appointments as an important step towards repositioning sports administration in Lagos.
The governor urged the new administrators to establish clear and measurable objectives, implement succession programmes and develop systems capable of identifying and nurturing young talents into elite athletes.
“Sports is not merely recreation but a pathway to discipline, education, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that major sporting events also create opportunities across sectors including hospitality, transportation, entertainment, media, technology, fitness and sports medicine.
The governor called for stronger partnerships between government and the private sector, stressing that increased investment would provide a stronger foundation for sports and athlete development.
Sanwo-Olu urged them to create greater opportunities for women, girls, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.
He said their performance would ultimately be measured by the athletes they develop, the institutions they strengthen and the champions they produce.
The governor also pointed to Lagos’ performances at recent national sporting competitions as evidence of what could be achieved when talent is supported by effective structures.
He highlighted the state’s hosting of the National Intermediate Games as another opportunity to strengthen Lagos’ position as a leading sports development hub and provide young athletes with competitive exposure.
Fatodu stressed that government alone could not transform the sector, calling for stronger collaboration among sports associations, athletes, coaches, schools, corporate organisations and local communities.
He said the new leadership would work towards delivering credible and progressive results while creating better opportunities for athletes across their respective associations.
