Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has admitted he is relishing the opportunity that ‘The Centre of Excellence’ has in hosting the first ever National Intermediate Games, after it was instituted earlier this year by the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Sports247 reports that Sanwo-Olu revealed this during his inspection of ongoing rehabilitation at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, where he toured the main bowl, hall, volleyball court and swimming pool, then declared that the state is ready to host the festival scheduled for October 1st to 15th.
He expressed confidence that Teslim Balogun Stadium and other venues would be ready before October, as the football pitch has been upgraded to FIFA standards and fitted with natural grass, while the tartan track will be completed within the next four to six weeks.
The governor added that ongoing rehabilitation of facilities in Surulere, Ifako, Badagry, Ikorodu, Epe and Agege is part of a broader strategy initiated by his administration to rebuild and upgrade sporting infrastructure, then assured that all outstanding work will be completed within the stipulated time.
Sanwo-Olu added that hosting the maiden National Intermediate Sports Festival has presented Lagos with an opportunity to strengthen its grassroots development programme and create a path for young athletes to progress to the highest levels of competition.
While stating that Rowe Park and other sports centres across the state will also be utilised, Sanwo-Olu added that the festival would be a platform for further grassroots development and help many young athletes develop their talents, as they aim to progress into elite events.
Sanwo-Olu affirmed enthusiastically, “We have the unique opportunity that the National Sports Commission handed over to Lagos, the hosting rights for the very first National Intermediate Sports Festival.
“We are going to be the first state and the first host of this sports festival. That will help us do what we are all talking about. We want to hold grassroots sports. We want to encourage the young people before they begin to jump out and run away. We want to hold and develop all our children.”
