Athletes Welfare Will Be Our Priority In Lagos, Says Oshodi.

As part of Lagos State’s efforts at inspiring its athletes to do well in major competitions, the State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Enitan Oshodi has reaffirmed that the welfare of the athletes will not be compromised.

Oshodi said the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola-led administration would continue to focus on development of athletes for life, which he said, was in line with the sports development policy of the government.

“Our focus on the development of athletes is for life. We had done it in the past and we will continue to give priority to the welfare of the athletes. No athletes will suffer for representing Lagos State. We need to continue the good work of the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola by ensuring that we retain our athletes and that is why we want them to get engaged in education while some will be involved in vocational training so that they can be useful to themselves after quitting sports. Some of them that are fit to be employed will be engaged in the public and private sectors,” he said.

He said none of the state's athletes would suffer for representing the State as the Ministry would continue the good work of the Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola by ensuring that the state's athletes are retained, hence the reason the Ministry want to engaged them in education while some will be involved in vocational training.

To actualise this vision,Oshodi said the government would work with schools within the State to ensure that some of the athletes that are willing to go to school are supported, while this would be in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

He added that Coaches would also be re-trained to be able to impart on the athletes,stressing that the Ministry would give priority to school sports,stressing taht the Ministry would rebuild its school sports and also re-integrate the use of Physical Education teachers in schools. stated.

On the hosting of the 2012 National Sports Festival, Oshodi said: “In the past, Lagos State had hosted major competitions successfully.

I think Rivers State must be commended for the staging of the last Festival and for us, we are going to make use of the National Stadium including some of our Stadium like Teslim Balogun. Agege and Onikan Stadia would also be utilised while other sporting facilities will also be upgraded for the Festival.

Infrastructure will not be problem because we have the facilities to host the championship. For us the festival is not for sports alone but we will also use it to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the State. Every State taking part in the festival will surely be at home because Lagos is home to all States of the Federation.”