The Lagos State government has boosted school sports with donation of sports equipment to the six educational districts while also tasking heads of schools to encourage participation in sports among the students to ensure holistic education in line with the THEME agenda of the government.
The government, through the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, donated the equipment to 644 schools to encourage sporting activities in schools across the state.
Table tennis boards, spike, jerseys, balls, volleyball, relay batons, chess boards, scrabble equipment, as well as first aid boxes were among the equipment distributed to the schools.
Speaking at the presentation of the sports equipment by LSSTF to the six educational divisions in the state, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat, said the government believed in a holistic educational system, adding that the gesture was a bold statement in line with the THEME agenda of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.
The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of The Deputy Governor, Mrs. Mojisola Daba, said, “I urge all tutor generals/permanent secretaries, principals and staff of all public schools in the six educational districts to ensure the appropriate use of the distributed sports equipment to achieve the desired effect to the glory of Lagos State,” she said.
The Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku, said the LSSTF was set up in 2017 to raise funds through public and private donations for the development of sporting activities and facilities in the state.
“Research has shown that youth engagement in sports helps them improve their social interaction, increase their confidence, improve their listening skills and health. Participation in sports is linked to higher grades, low dropout rates, reduced truancy and decreased crime rates,” he said.
At present, LSSTF is constructing an Olympic-size swimming pool, warm-up/training pool equipped with a 500-seater spectator stand at Rowe Park while in two months, the project would be delivered.
The Secretary, LSSTF, Olaposi Agunbiade, advised the students to shun vices, saying it could mar their future.
He, however, informed the students that the sports trust fund was desirous of constructing state-of-the-art sports centres in each of the six education districts before the end of the year.
He therefore enjoined Lagosian and the Private Sector to support the Sports Trust Fund in other to reduce Youths restiveness in the Society.
