18th NSF: Fashola Unveils Logo, Mascot

Governor  Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state has unveiled the logo, mascot and website of the 18th National Sports Festival, scheduled for November 27 to December 9 in the state.

Fashola, who turned 49 last Thursday, seized the opportunity to thank Lagosians; many of whom he acknowledged sent him birthday wishes.

He said that the event, which he described as historic, was an opportunity to urge the corporate groups which had yet to support the festival, to do so as it held a promise to develop the youth.

The governor advised the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the states that now was the time to re-align the sports calendar in such a manner that would help to identify talents for major Games such the Olympics.

“The festival should be aimed at ultimately producing athletes for the Olympic Games.

“There could have been a natural flow from festivals to discover athletes to represent the country at the Africa Athletics Championships and to the Olympics rather than the current situation that the festivals are held after major Games,’’ he said.

Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi had earlier said that, beginning from the next festival to be hosted by Cross Rivers in 2014, there would be a re-alignment to ensure the production of athletes for major international sporting engagements.

He said that the launch of the mascot, logo and website would help to sensitise potential sponsors and partners to the need to boost the marketing initiative.

Director-General of the NSC, Dr Patrick Ekeji, said that as part of innovations to make the Games compare favourably with those which had international repute, Cross River had already set up a Local Organising Committee (LOC).

He said that the state would send the LOC, constituted two years ahead of its hosting the festival, to attend the Lagos Games as observers.

Ekeji said that the knowledge acquired would be of immense benefit to Cross River in organising the festival.