Lagos state to bid for 2018 youth Olympic Games

Lagos state to bid for 2018 youth Olympic Games
Qasim Akinreti, Lagos

The government of southwest Nigerian city of Lagos says it is set to bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Youth Sport and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele, announced this at the ministerial briefing in Lagos on Friday.

He said that the Olympic was one of the series of international competitions the State will bid for.

Preparatory process

The Commissioner said the State has “heightened its facility enhancement and infrastructure development’’ ahead of the hosting of the 18th National Sports Festival slated for between November 10 and 24, 2012.

He stated that an MOU for the construction of the Game Village has been signed with GOUJI Chinese Company and an   Italian Company FILPAT. Under the arrangements an Ultra-Modern Sports City would be constructed in Ibeju, Sports Institute and Camp Lagos, in Epe.

Adele said that with the former Nigerian Army Barrack Epe, which serves as the Engineering Campus of the Lagos State University, would be utilised for a Sports Academy.

The Commissioner said that the large expanse of land in the area was underutilized.

He said: “it is a natural topography for some special sports such as cycling, car racing, motor bike racing, and horse racing to mention a few. Its serenity also makes it real for Sports Academy; it distance form city distraction makes it ideal for camping’’.

Sport company debut

While also stating that plans are afoot for the establishment of a Sports Company, Prince Adele said that the establishment of LAGSPORTS Company will mitigate donor fatigue and create an independent avenue for funding of sport as it will incorporate Adverts Right, Sports Lottery and Assets Management.

Stressing that the Lagos state government was committed to taking sports beyond recreation to a core investment portfolio, Adele hinted that the appointment of a Sports Consultant, Mr. Roger Appleby had resulted in the inventory of the State’s Sport facilities as a prelude to its maintenance and maximum utilization.

Talent hunt

He said the consultant will also create a database of talented players at various age grades through school competition. This will afford the State a platform to achieve success in grass root football’’.

While also promising a robust facility management in the Sports Sector, the Commissioner, disclosed that the focus was on the decentralization of sporting facilities so as to ensure that all LG/LCDAS in the State have at least a mini stadium.

Unveil mascot

Ahead of plans to host the 18th National Sports Festival in Year 2012, the Lagos State government has concluded plans to unveil the Mascot of the event named ‘’Eshin’’.

The Mascot will be used to mark the 4th anniversary of the Fashola Administration in Lagos State.

 According to the Commissioner, the theme for the hosting of the event is “Building Infrastructure Development through sports”. He added that a date will soon be announced for the event.

Williams