We have just witnessed the inauguration of the Governing Boards of the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund in accordance with the enabling Laws.
These two Agencies, whose activities are complimentary to one another, are saddled with the responsibility of positioning our State as one of the top sports destinations in the continent.
Our vision is to make our State a hub for sports, tourism and entertainment and leveraging on the interconnectivity within the three sectors.
We believe strongly that Sports can put the State on the Global Map. The recently concluded Lagos Marathon has already received international recognition and will soon be regarded as a major event in the world athletic calendar.
With more sports events like the Lagos Marathon, we will engage more youths, produce more star athletes and create a synergy with sports, tourism, entertainment and hospitality; growing our economy and serving as a tool for youth empowerment and development.
As a result, these two Governing Councils which have just been inaugurated have a huge responsibility on their shoulders.
The State Sports Commission is charged with the responsibility of upgrading and maintaining our various sports facilities, developing strategic plans for sports development in the State, identifying and creating new locations for development of community sports facilities, overseeing the activities of all the sports associations in the State, grassroot sports development as well as capacity building for sports administrators, sports officers, coaches and athletes.
I want to reiterate our commitment to the Sports sector and the need for collaboration between the government and all sports stakeholders in the State.
In achieving our vision in Sports, it is our belief that the funding of sports should not be the responsibility of Government alone. This informed the establishment of the Sports Trust Fund whose mandate is primarily to interface with the private and public sectors to raise funds for sports development.
Funds raised through the Sports Trust Fund would be utilized for various aspects of sports development on the recommendation and advice of the Sports Commission.
With the sensitive and strategic nature of the responsibilities of these agencies, in constituting the Governing Boards of both Agencies, we have carefully selected men and women of proven integrity, professionalism, commitment and passion for sports and I have no doubt that they will deliver on their respective agency mandates.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund is a former Deputy Governor of our State, His Excellency, Otunba Olufemi Pedro, while Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh is the Chairman Lagos State Sports Commission.
I am very confident in your abilities to deliver our objectives in the Sports sector. I urge you all to focus on the even development of Sporting Infrastructures across the State, hosting of national and international Sporting events and participation in National and International Sporting Events in order to expose our Athletes and Coaches to international standards and best practices.
I thank all our members and Chairmen for agreeing to serve our State and as we look forward to a new dawn in Sports administration in the State, I assure you of the support of our government always.
Thank you.
Itesiwaju Ipile Eko lo je wa logun
Akinwunmi Ambode
Governor of Lagos State,
Alausa.