Kunle ADELABU
The Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, has charged the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) to be more alive to its responsibilities, especially in developing sports at the grassroots.
The fourth term lawmaker stated this during the recently held 5th edition of the annual Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon held in Ikorodu.
The marathon event is being solely sponsored by Hon. Agunbiade since its inception in 2016.
The lawmaker called on the Lagos State Government, especially its sports commission (LSSC) to fully support the marathon race by assisting to upgrade it.
“This 5th edition of the marathon race is to the glory of God and I want to state that there is no financial support from the government or any agency except from some individuals who showed love for the event”, he revealed.
“I do not receive any money from the Lagos State Government to organise this event. This is my own contribution to the development of youths and Ikorodu division.
“We still feel what we are doing for these children is small and we want to upgrade it and we are expecting the Lagos State Sports Commission to give us maximum support.
“As a legislator, I know that there are votes for promoting sports and other developmental activities at the grassroots.”
Hon. Agunbiade, who revealed that the organisers have refused the request by corporate bodies that the competition’s name be changed before they could sponsor it, also charged the Sports Commission to live up to its billings.
“We want the Sports Commission to be fully involved in this so that we can upgrade this event that is meant for Ikorodu division.
“We have also refused to allow corporate bodies to change the name of the event to their own brand as condition for sponsorship.
“We have refused them because the annual marathon event is meant to honour Nigeria and our revered Kabiyesi”.
Hon. Agunbiade, while stating that sponsoring the annual event has been very tasking and challenging, assured residents that he would continue to sponsor the event.
“I want to tell you that sponsoring this event is not a small thing at all, but I will continue to so as long as God gives me the grace. We will continue to wax stronger and stronger every year”, he pledged.
Speaking on his decision to initiate the annual event, Hon. Agunbiade stated:
“This event was actually created for healthy sporting rivalry among students and schools, to develop long distance race and get residents engaged, particularly during the Independence Day celebration.
“For the past five years, we have been taken Ikorodu people out on the streets to watch, urge and honour these children while they were running”.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker has described a member of the Governing Council of the Lagos State Sports Commission representing Ikorodu Division, Prince Akeem Olukunga, as a true representative of his people.
He commended him for the support he has been giving to the organisers of the marathon race in his personal capacity.
“I want to commend Prince Olukunga. He’s been very supportive. With him, I am satisfied with the Sports Commission. He’s always there for us.
“These two trophies here today are donated by him for the race. He said that he’ll always support anything that is meant for Ikorodu”.
Master Alloy Ifeanyi John, a student of Imota Community Junior Grammar School and Miss Akanbi Muslim of Luwasa Junior Grammar School, Ijede, returned 44 minutes 29 seconds and 51 minutes 31 seconds to emerge winners of the Male and female categories respectively.
A total of 667 student athletes from both public and private secondary schools across Ikorodu division took part in this year’s edition of the marathon race.
