Absence Of Board Holds Up Sports Activities In Lagos

Following recent dissolution of board of the Lagos State Sports Council and its 38 sports associations, activities have been at stand still at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba.

Tidesports gathered that many planned sporting competitions were postponed pending the reconstitution of a new board.

Also, the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Social Development had been saddled with the responsibility of reconstituting the new board and the sports associations.

Some athletes and coaches, called on the Sports Ministry to expedite action on reconstituting of new board so that activities could resume.

They also urged the ministry to ensure that only people who were inclined to sports development were appointed to reverse the declining fortune of sports in the state.

Bimbo Kazeem, a basketball player said that she was not happy with the dissolution of board, saying that it stalled the bold strides being achieved in the sports sector.

She also said that athletes benefited immensely from activities of the previous board, before the dissolution and that a new board would take time to regain lost momentum.

“I urge the state government to hasten the reconstitution of the board for sporting activities to resume in Lagos.’’ Kazeem said.

Yemi Lawal, a tennis player said the incoming board should continue to promote sport development, especially at the grassroots so as to nurture new talents.

He also said that the former board neglected the welfare of athletes, which adversely affected the state’s performance at the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.

“I think the former board did not attach importance to welfare of athletes. That is why the state has not been performing well in recent times,’’ Lawal said.

A coach, who pleaded anonymity, said he was happy with the dissolution of the former board and was opposed to the re-appointment of many of the members of the dissolved board.

He said the board members did not do enough to attract sponsorship for local competitions to complement the efforts of the coaching department.

“The performance of the state at the last festival spoke volumes about the sorry state of affairs in the council. We need only visionary administrators in the next board,’’ the coach said.