100 days: Sanwo-Olu should bring back gov’s cup – Stakeholders
Some stakeholders in sports have urged Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to put behind him the delayed confirmation of his commissioners to improve his performance in sports by bringing back the Governor’s Cup challenge.
The stakeholders spoke with the newsmen on Saturday while reviewing the performance of the Sanwo-Olu administration in sports in the first 100 days of his second tenure.
Wahidi Akanni, a former Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, said the inability of Lagos State House of Assembly to approve the list of commissioners slowed down the pace of development in the last 100 days.
“Prior to now Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s administration has been doing well in terms of sports, but it seems a lot is grounded because of the late confirmation of the list of commissioners.
“I’m of the belief that things will shape up very soon once this is resolved, Lagos State has a good grassroots programme,” he said.
Wasiu Sanni, Head Coach of Lagos State Squash Association (LSSA), said the governor loved sports and had done well in his first tenure, but urged him to do more in his second tenure.
“The Governor’s Cup challenge used to be something we looked forward to because it’s one of the ways we discover new talents. One thing Lagos State is known for is the fact that we groom our athletes.
“We don’t poach, we groom from the grassroots, this is why Lagos State is different and both our current and past governments believe in genuine grassroots programmes,” he said.
Similarly, Falade Oyekan, the General Manager of Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), said the Centre of Excellence was well known for it’s commitment to sports.
“When you look at sports generally, it is targeted at the youth. Catching them young is a trademark of Lagos State, and we take pride in that as Lagosians.
“I received delegates organising the street soccer a while ago and we as LNSC has promised to support them in terms of security, everything works hand in hand here.
“As a one time Chairman of Lagos Divisional Football Association, I understand that we want to see more support, which I believe Gov. Sanwo-Olu will deliver exceedingly,” he said.
