LAGOS – Tayo Soyode, the Vice-Chairman, Lagos State Volleyball Association, on Thursday said the association would ensure that volleyball attained international standard in the state.
Soyode told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the just-concluded volleyball event at the “Ibile Games” was part of its agenda for the grassroots development of the sport.
The volleyball event of the Lagos State Sports Festival ended on May 7 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, while the Games which started on April 30 ends on May 11.
He said that the association would continue to organise competitions in order to encourage talents discovered at the Games to attain peak performance.
“Talents abound in this state and in the country as a whole, therefore, we will continue to organise grassroots developmental programmes to keep the young athletes busy,” Soyode said.
Reacting, Christopher Amata, the Coach of Rockford College, Ikorodu, which won gold and silver medals in the girls and boys events respectively, expressed happiness that the school was victorious.
“I am very happy that we are going back with two medals. It only proves that I have good students as athletes and that I am also a good coach,” Amata said.
Opeyemi Oni, a 17-year-old SSS II student of Rockford College, lauded the Lagos State Government for providing such an initiative that would continue to encourage young people to take to sports.
“As long as competitions are being organised, I will continue to work hard to better myself so that I can one day represent my country at international events,” Oni said.
Jeremiah Garba, the Coach of Star International College, Ikorodu, which also won the gold medal of the boys’ event, attributed the victory to good team work and communication during the game.
“I told my boys never to quarrel among themselves during competitions because disagreement in the team reduced its focus and coordination,” Garba said.
Gideon Tanno, a 14-year-old JSS II student of Star College and the youngest athlete in the competition, said that he enjoyed volleyball because it increased his concentration in school.
Tanno said that he would continue to engage in the sport because it gave him a general sense of well-being and increased his confidence as a young boy.
Coach Abel Okoro of United Christian Secondary School, Apapa, which claimed the silver and bronze medals in the girls and boys events respectively, advised parents to encourage their children in sports.
“Sports has a lot of potential to develop young people both in the mind and body, therefore, I appeal to parents to support children who participate in sports,” Okoro said.
A 7-year-old SSS III student of Command Day Secondary School, Ikeja, Zainab Isah, said that it was fun participating in the competition because she met students from other schools.
“I made new friends and discovered that there is always room for improvement in whatever you do,” Isah said.
Command Day Secondary School, Ikeja, was the bronze medalist in the girls’ event.
The Best School Award for the girls’ event went to Ajigbeda Senior Girls High School, Surulere, while the boys’ event went to the Star International College, Ikorodu.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the girls was given to Abosede Musa of Rockford College, Ikorodu, while Patrick Davo of Star International College, Ikorodu, clinched the MVP in the boys’ category. (NAN)
