Traditional Sports Hold In Itire-Ikate, Surulere LGs.

Players of Draughts, Cards, Ayo Olopon and Agidigbo were delight to watch at the Sam Shonibare Community Centre, Surulere during the maiden edition of the traditional sports championship.

The event was organized by Youth Empowerment Initiatives in conjunction with the Office of the Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

The tournament is part of the Lagos State government’s effort to resuscitate traditional sports at all the local government areas of the state.

Tuesday’s tourney was put together to keep people, both young and old, busy with participation in recreational activities within Surulere Local Government and Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area.

Interesting game of the competition was Gidigbo, an indigenous wrestling contest, which many fans found very exciting and hilarious to watch as it drew applause from the fans and dignitaries

At the end of Gidigbo bout, Gbenga Omosawe from Shitta dusted all contestants to win the star prize of N15,000, while Abubarka Lawal from Lawanson was second with a cash prize of N10,000 as Sulaimon Umaru from Itire-Ikate came third with N5,000.

In Draughts, Toyin Ishola from Baruwa came first beating Friday Egwata from Lawanson, Amerika Chinedu from Itire-Ikate and Amata Atare to second, third and fourth positions.

In Cards event, Ekeloju Oti from Shitta was adjudged the winner. In the second position was Gbotolrun Sikiru from Shitta, while Ali Buraimo and Muyibi Adejumo came third and fourth .

Adebayo Michael from Itire-Ikate was the winner in Ayo Olopon, Toyin Oyeyemi from Surulere, Oyedokun Segun from Itire-Ikate and Odeyemi Olajide came second, third and fourth .

The Ram Charging contest was another event that drew applause from the fans.

Van Der Sar beat other rams to win the star prize of N25,000 and a gold medal while Aboki came second with a prize of N15,000 and a sliver medal, just as Odogbolu came third and was given N10,000 and a bronze medal.

Dr. Otubosin praised the initiative of the Lagos State Governor, Fashola from resuscitating the neighbourhood games, saying watching the players in action reminded him of the olden days when traditional games were at their best.

“This is the best thing to happen in sports in Lagos. I’m very glad seeing these players both old and young playing Cards, Gidigbo, Draughts and Ayo Olopon. Traditional games are playing everywhere in the world including America and London,” he said.

The Coordinator of Youth Empowerment Initiatives, Sodiq Yisa Ajibona told Sportsweight.blogspot.com that the success of the one day tourney was as a result of hard working of his members.

He commended Governor Fashola and the SSA, Prince Oladunjoye for giving the youths the chance to showcase their God-given talent through sports.

“Governor Fashola has done a lot to use sports as empowerment tool for the youths of the state.

Resuscitating traditional games is another way to identify with the people in the grassroots. You can how the winners were excited receiving prize monies, a situation they have never experience before,” he said.