The Lagos government says it is irrevocably committed to improving the state’s sports infrastructure.

Lekan Fatodu, the director-general of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), expressed the commitment while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

He described Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a sports lover committed to ensuring facilities are completed and of the right standards.

The LSSC DG said proposals for more sporting facilities were receiving the state government’s attention.

“There are two major proposals with the governor now, waiting for his approval. Some of the proposals have to do with grassroots sports development.

“We want our sporting facilities to be geographically spread and strategically located to capture a particular sport well-known in a particular area,” he said.

Fatodu said to ensure effective grassroots sports development, the various communities’ peculiarities must be considered.

“When we are talking about grassroots development of sports, we don’t want to limit it to a situation whereby athletes will have to come to Surulere or Teslim to achieve their sporting aspiration.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu has actually invested much in making sure that mini stadia are built in various communities, and they are coming up.

“We are actually putting fire in the feet of the contractors to speed up work. The availability of these facilities will help the kids enjoy proximity to the facility through, which they can use to develop their skills.

“Very soon, Ibile games will be coming, Lagos town racing will be coming and many more that are more tailored to the grassroots and various communities in Lagos state,” he said.

Fatodu said the mini stadium at Igbogbo Ikorodu would soon be ready for use.

“The mini stadium at Igbogbo-Ikorodu is the one everyone keeps talking about, but another one is coming up towards Lekki, Epe.

“We have some strong interest in where we should situate the mini stadium, either in a certain constituency or another constituency.

“However, there is now an agreement between the parties and very soon, the place will be open for use in that area,” he said. 

(NAN)