Alao Retains Lagos Athletics Chairmanship as Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates 44 Sports Associations
Dr Solomon A. Alao has retained his position as Chairman of the Lagos State Athletics Association following the inauguration of 44 chairmen of sports associations by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday.
Alao was among the newly approved chairmen and board members inaugurated to oversee the administration and development of various sports across the state.
The inauguration brings together the leadership of 44 sports associations, including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Cycling, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Rugby, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling, as well as para-sports and other emerging sporting disciplines.
Sanwo-Olu, while inaugurating the sports administrators, charged them with the responsibility of identifying talented athletes early, developing them properly and creating pathways for them to compete and succeed at the highest level.
The governor stressed that sports in Lagos goes beyond competition, noting that it creates opportunities in education, employment, entrepreneurship and economic development.
He urged the new leadership of the associations to prioritise grassroots development, transparency, accountability and regular competitions while ensuring greater opportunities for women, girls, persons with disabilities and other emerging talents.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos has no shortage of sporting talent, but the responsibility of the new sports administrators is to build the systems and create the opportunities required to turn that talent into champions.
‘I have asked the new leadership to focus on strong grassroots development, transparency, accountability and regular competitions, while creating opportunities for women, girls, persons with disabilities and other emerging talents,’ the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that the newly inaugurated leadership would produce athletes capable of succeeding at the highest levels and further strengthen Lagos’ position as Nigeria’s leading sports hub.
