LAGOS – Shameed Oseni, a taekwondo coach with Surulere Local Government Area, on Friday urged the organisers of the ongoing Lagos State sports Festival, “Ibile Games”, to ensure athletes were fulfilled.
Ibile Games is a mini sports festival organised by the Lagos State Sports Council.
Oseni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that athletes who trained to excel at the various competitions needed to be rewarded when they were successful.
He said rewards and adequate compensation remained the major safety net that would discourage athletes from seeking greener pastures in another state.
“There must be good conditions and allowances on ground for participating athletes in this game; the reason is to encourage them so that they will not run to other states.
“This is our own state festival and it will be good to enjoy the benefit of the athletes we train from these Games to DAWN Games and the National Sports Festival.
“The coaches that groom the athletes must also not be ignored because when both are happy, Lagos State will stand out in any national festival,’’ he said.
The coach also charged the athletes participating in the Games to show more commitment and ensure that they used their skills, adding that the game was highly competitive.
“This competition is a good platform for athletes to prove their competence to the state government and convince it that they are worth investing on,’’ he said.
Twenty-five sports are featured in seven designated centres, holding from April 30 to May 10. (NAN)