By Wale Joseph
Lagos State Sports Council last weekend rose from its first ever retreat with several resolutions on the way forward for sports in the state.
At the end of the three-day retreat with the theme: ‘Way Forward For Sports Development in Lagos State,’ a communiqué was released.
Six presentations were made focusing on the council’s 2010 Budget, strategies for sports development in Lagos State, the state’s preparation and participation at the forthcoming 17th National Sports Festival and its challenges.
There is also presentation on the state’s sports associations, their challenges and the way forward, relationship between the Sports Council and its supervising Ministry and also the role of the media in sports development and enhancement.
After exhaustive deliberations on the presentations at the retreat, that had the chairman and members of the council and all sporting associations chairmen in attendance, it was resolved that sports and education must go hand in hand in the council’s development programmes as expressly directed by the Governor of the state, Babatunde Raji Fashola in his address at the inauguration of the board of the council.
Speaking after the retreat held at the VIP Chalets, ASCON Road, Badagry, Chairman of the council, Agboola Dabiri, said the retreat has really given the council the opportunity to address issues that were raised and the way forward for sports in the state.
He reiterated the need for the sports council’s to be moved from One-line budget to Head budgeting with government’s recognition of sports as an important public relations tool that it is and therefore fund and employ it for all the benefits it can offer. He added that there should be adequate funding of all sports associations’ programmes and athletes’ welfare with regular competitions organised by all the associations. He noted that this will assist them to identify and nurture athletes that will create a pool for all the sports and games.
He urged all the associations to exploit marketing and sponsorship opportunities available in the corporate world to enhance their operations and boost their respective sports, while associations, coaches, zonal officers, local government sports officers and administrators at all levels should be empowered through relevant and appropriate courses.
He disclosed that competitions and academies in any sport must be endorsed or get approval from the relevant association of the council before it is held or established in the state, while competent Gamesmasters with clearly defined schedules should be appointed and posted to the state’s schools.
It was also agreed that long term, adequate and strategic preparations should be employed for all sports festivals or competitions, especially in multiple medal sports, while athletes representing the state at any competition or sports festivals should undergo thorough and full medical screening and be provided with insurance covers.
It was also agreed that government should pay special attention and accord priority to the state’s sports festival and participation in the National Sports Festival, while government should expedite action on the establishment of the state’s Institute of Sports, which has been on the card for some time.
Necessary strategy should be put in place by associations to encourage the formation of clubs in their respective sports which may be supported by the council with training grants.
Associations’ chairmen were also advised to observe the necessary due processes obtainable in the public service in the activities of their various associations and all sports facilities currently on ground should be appropriately maintained to derive maximum benefit from them. While no association’s activity or competition would be approved without a well planned media and publicity plan, the publicity department of the Ministry and Council’s activities should be adequately and appropriately funded. This will register in the consciousness of the people and the corporate world and possibly attract sponsorship.
The retreat also commended the restructuring of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, noting with delight the ministry’s resolve to ensure the effective implementation of same. They noted and commended the state government’s strides in the provision of sports infrastructure and facilities in the state.
This is exemplified among others in the re-construction of Campos Square Mini Stadium, the current construction of the Agege Stadium, and the proposed Camp Lagos and the Institute of Sports in Epe. The participants thanked the council and the ministry for the opportunity given them to contribute their quota to the development of sports in the state and urged that it be sustained.
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