After two years of operations under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State Sports Commission is counting its gains and expressing every course to celebrate.
This is the sequel to a long line of achievements and giant strides that were achieved by the Lagos State Sports Commission, either on an individual level or in conjunction with some of its affiliate bodies within the past two years in review.
A detailed rundown of those achievements and epochal feats is now presented, as we outline records and feats of the Lagos State Sports Commission in two years of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s excellent leadership acumen and administrative depth in The Centre of Excellence –
LSSC’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN TWO YEARS
1. The Lagos State Sports Commission organised the maiden edition of Lagos Sports Summer Camp from August 31st to 5th September 2019.
The event featured students of private and public schools as participants from ages 9 to 16 attending from all five divisions in the state – i.e. Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe.
They were trained in eight sports events – Athletics, Volleyball, Basketball, Judo, Taekwondo, Swimming, Squash and Table Tennis – as well as in entrepreneurial skills like tie-and-dye, tilling, make-up, interlocking and drama.
2. Lagos State Sports Commission co-hosted the International Table Tennis Federation Challenge and Nigeria Open in August 2019.
3. Lagos State Taekwondo Association, in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission, organised a two-day event tagged “Taekwondo Youth Clinic” on August 19th and 20th, 2019.
4. Lagos State Sports Commission co-hosted the 5th Lagos International Badminton Classics from July 20th to 22nd, 2019.
5. Lagos State hosted the National Under-18/21 Handball Championship from 16th to 24th March 2019.
6. The Lagos State Hockey Association, in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission, organised a U-15 Boys and Girls ‘Mini Competition ‘ on July 31st, 2019.
7. Lagos State Sports Commission participated in the U-15 National Youth Games, which held at Ilorin, Kwara State from 7th to 17th September 2019.
Team Lagos was placed second on the performance table with a total of 72 medals, consisting of 22 gold, 36 silver, and 14 bronze; while also being adjudged as the most youthful contingent at the Games.
8. The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Sports Commission, collaborated with the organizers of:
i. 10th Korean Ambassador’s Cup from 17th-19th October 2019.
ii. 5th Edition of the South West U-18 Optimum Impact Karate Youth Championship on 19th October 2019.
iii. Eko Basketball League from 23rd to 25th October 2019.
iv. Karate-Do Championship “Shotokan Cup” from 8th to 10th November 2019.
v. Lagos Women Run in November 2019 and 2020.
vi. Temple Jam Basketball Tournament from 18th to 24th November 2019.
vii. Maiden edition of Ojez Table Tennis Coaching Clinic tagged ‘Just For Beginners’ from
20th to 22nd November 2019.
viii. 51st & 52nd Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Championships in 2019 and
2020.
9. The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Sports Commission, financially supported organisers of the 2019 Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon.
10. Lagos State Athletic Association, in collaboration with Lagos State Sports Commission, organised a two-day athletics competition for secondary schools in Education District 11 on 11th and 12th December 2019 at Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu.
This was another step forward in the commission’s efforts at promoting school sport and youth athletics through the organisation of various athletics competitions for students in secondary schools across Lagos State, thereby building the psycho-motive capacity of young Lagosians.
The competition was aimed at exploiting and sustaining the potentials among the Youth in Athletics, to discover and develop cognitive skills.
10. LSSC successfully co-hosted the 2020 and 2021 editions of Access Lagos City Marathon with participants from across the globe.
11. Lagos State successfully hosted the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying football match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Crocodiles of Lesotho on 30th March 2021.
It is also worthy of note that this was the first competitive match played by the Super Eagles in Lagos in 20 years. It was also their first home match after football activities resumed following the lockdown caused by COVID-19, which put all matches that should have been played in 2020 on hold.
12. Lagos State Government remodeled Agege Stadium to Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) standard for continental club matches.
13. Team Lagos participated in the 20th National Sports Festival tagged “Edo 2020,” which was held in Benin City, Edo State from April 4 to 14, 2021. Team Lagos placed 5th in the final medals table with 32 gold, 40 silver, and 54 bronze.
14. A “Sports is Back” Programme was held with 19 sporting activities, with non-contact sports taking place without Spectators, as LSSC led the way of heralding the return of sporting activities to kick-start post-COVID, September 2020
15. Lagos State Government inaugurated a fresh LSSC Board in March 2021. This was done for a total of 45 sports association boards, including three new ones – Netball, Cheerleading, and ESports. All three new associations are the first of their kind in Nigeria.
16. A formal grand reception was held in honour of Team Lagos contingent to Edo 2020 on their return to Lagos from the National Sports Festival and all members were commended for their performances.
