Lagos reinforces long-term vision for youth sports development

The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, has reaffirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development, asserting that Lagos will not compromise its long-standing tradition of grooming young athletes in favour of short-term gains.

Speaking to sports journalists at the 22nd National Sports Festival currently underway in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mr Fatodu emphasised that the Lagos model remains focused on building a sustainable future for sports through investment in young talent across the state’s communities and schools.

“This has been our tradition in Lagos. We won’t cut corners just to win medals,” Mr Fatodu stated. “Our objective is to provide young athletes with holistic capacity development—skills that will serve them not just during their careers but long after retirement.”

Lagos, known as the Centre of Excellence, has led Nigeria in grassroots sports initiatives since the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and sustained through the leadership of successive governors, including Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the incumbent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to Mr Fatodu, the state’s developmental approach includes mapping communities based on their unique sporting strengths, promoting school-based sports programmes, and expanding access to infrastructure and training.

“We are taking sports into the neighbourhoods,” he said. “Schools are excited to see our presence—they know we are serious about developing talent at the grassroots.”

The Director General also expressed concern over athlete poaching, calling for regulatory oversight to ensure fair competition among states.

“It’s unfair that we invest in grooming athletes, only for other states to lure them away. This practice needs urgent attention,” he said.

Mr Fatodu disclosed that many athletes who previously left Lagos have expressed a desire to return, citing improved welfare, transparency, and engagement under his leadership.

“Since I assumed office, we have worked closely with athletes and coaches. They are not just workers—they are our partners,” he added.

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The Commission has implemented several reforms to improve coaching standards and motivation, including a performance-based reward system known as the “DG Gift,” salary increases, and access to specialised training through the National Institute of Sports. International experts are also being brought in to upgrade local coaching capacities in line with global standards.

“We are also using Lagos’s position as the face of corporate Nigeria to build networks that empower our athletes and coaches,”Mr Fatodu explained. “It’s not just about medals—it’s about building something enduring.”

For the current festival, Lagos is strategically focusing on areas of competitive advantage, such as boxing, table tennis, combat sports, basketball, weightlifting, and deaf athletics.

“We are not trying to compete in every event. We’re playing to our strengths,” Mr Fatodu noted confidently, expressing optimism that Lagos could finish among the top three.

Looking ahead, he announced that Lagos will host the next edition of the National Youth Games, promising a landmark event that sets a new standard for youth sports development in Nigeria.

“Our aim is to create a model that shows developmental sports is not only achievable but also scalable,” Fatodu said. “Lagos will not relent. We are building a legacy.”

Through thoughtful planning, infrastructure development, and a genuine commitment to youth empowerment, Lagos continues to position itself as a national leader in sports—both on and off the field.