Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that sports has become a social tool that goes beyond mere recreation, as it is now a platform to build entrepreneurship and econnomic growth, as well as an incentive to promote human discipline.
Sports247 reports that Sanwo-Olu said this while inaugurating chairmen of 44 associations for variious sporting disciplines in the state, during which he also charged them to strengthen grassroots development, identify emerging talents and create sustainable pathways for growth.
He added during the ceremony at Lagos House, Ikeja that sports can also be used to boost education and employment in the community, then urged the new chairmen of various associations to encourage athletes who can achieve national and international success.
Sanwo-Olu also described their appointments as a significant step towards repositioning sports administration in the state, for which he said they should implement succession programmes and establish systems capable of identifying and nurturing raw talents into elite athletes.
The governor further pointed out that Lagos State should always play a leadership role of taking its impact in sports activities beyond discovery of athletes into providing structures, training opportunities and competitive platforms needed to transform discoveries into champions.
“The reputation of Lagos as a Centre of Excellence must extend beyond talent discovery into establishing the necessary structures, training opportunities, and competitive platforms to transform talents into champions.
“Sports is not merely recreation but a pathway to discipline, education, employment, entrepreneurship and economic growth,” said Sanwo-Olu, while also charging the new administrators to set clear objectives for their associations.
