LSSC Begins Screening Athletes for National Intermediate Games
In preparation for the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games to be hosted by Lagos State later this year, the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has commenced screening of athletes through a Secondary School Sports Fiesta.
The open trial, held at Tolu Secondary School Complex in Ajegunle, brought together students from both public and private schools to compete in athletics, chess, and scrabble.
The aim was to identify fresh talents who will represent Lagos State at the championship.
Dr. Oluyomi Oluwasanmi, Director of School Sports at the Commission, explained the purpose of the initiative: ‘The purpose of the Lagos State Secondary School Sports Fiesta is to comb the nooks and crannies of the state, especially our school system, to get more talents that we can use to beef up the already established pool of talents in preparation for the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Games being hosted by Lagos State in October this year.’
She added that the fiesta is one of several competitions designed to allow deserving pupils to emerge as part of the best Under-18 teams.
‘More trials will still be conducted to discover talents who will join the already established pool. Then we’ll commence training from there. So that by the time we get to September, Lagos will have formidable teams across all the sports that have been approved for the National Intermediate Games.’
Nunayon Travih, Director of Sports Development at the LSSC, also addressed the pupils, urging them to seize the opportunity: ‘Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the leadership of the Lagos State Sports Commission under Lekan Fatodu commenced this process as part of activities to select athletes for Lagos State’s participation in the National Intermediate Games to be hosted by Lagos State.’
He emphasized the importance of the trials: ‘This is a selection trial to pick top and talented athletes within the school bracket to engage with already discovered athletes from sports associations at the Lagos State Sports Commission.
‘This way, we can have a mix of both environments to get the best for Lagos State at the National Intermediate Games. So, see this as an opportunity to express yourself and put in your best. I pray that you all come out successful and become worthy ambassadors of Lagos State at the National Intermediate Games.’
The National Intermediate Games, scheduled for October, will mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s youth sports development.
With Lagos hosting the inaugural edition, the state is determined to field strong teams across all approved sports and emerge champions.
