Lagos – Adeyinka Adeboye, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Sports, on Friday called on sports enthusiasts to partner with government in discovering talented athletes at the grassroots.
Adeboye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that individuals and corporate organisations should be government partners in the discovery of talents that abound in the state.
According to him, government is creating platforms for athletes to showcase their capabilities through competitions.
He urged sports enthusiasts to key into the government programmes in developing sports at the grassroots.
“We have a number of children in schools and on the streets that can become world class athletes but lack opportunities and platforms to showcase their God-given talents.
“My mandate is to create avenues through which such talented people will be spotted and picked to encourage them to be future stars.
“But we are hindered by lack of competitions to discover them.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“Discovering new talents from the streets will bring about positive message to the youths than what is preached daily in our religious houses,’’ he said.
Adeboye urged Nigerian corporate bodies and brand owners to aid the government in making the state better and peaceful by engaging the youths in sports.
“The present and past administrations have done a lot in grassroots sports and youth development, but much still needs to be done.
“ So we are calling on corporate brand owners and well-meaning individuals to come and partner with us as we continue to use sports as a tool for youth development and job creation,’’ he said.
He said that his office would organise competitions in 10 sports selected as the pilot scheme for the grassroots development.
“We intend to organise several competitions across 10 different sports designed towards discovering new talented sportsmen and women for the state in particular and the country in general.
“Our plan is to create an avenue for all the young athletes in Lagos to display their talents.
“We have started with Eko U-15 Secondary School Tennis Championship; by the end of the year, we would have touched on at least 10 sports,’’ Adeboye said.
NAN reports that no fewer than 200 students from public and private schools are participating in the tournament.
The competition served-off on Feb. 23 at the Mobolaji Jonhson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, while the final is scheduled for the National Stadium, Lagos on Feb. 27.(NAN)