Kunle Adelabu
The Lagos State’s Football, Basketball, Hockey, Handball, Beach volleyball and Softball/Baseball teams have all qualified for the National Sports Festival which will come up in Asaba, Delta State, later in the year.
According to the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Team Lagos Football (male and female), Basketball (male and female),Hockey (male and female), Softball/Baseball (male and female), Beach Volleyball (female) and Handball (Male) booked their places after finishing tops at the South West Zonal Eliminations.
Lagos Handball, Volleyball female teams emerged in first positions, while male Volleyball and Beach Volleyball teams emerged second and third respectively.
The 2022 South-West Zonal Eliminations Games organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, took place between 3rd and 7th October at the Lanreleke Sports Academy and Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
In their final games, Lagos State’s female football team defeated Oyo State 4-0, while the male team knocked out the same State 2-0.
Team Lagos defeated Team Ogun in the basketball 50-30 points to clinch the sole ticket to represent the zone. The female team also defeated Team Ondo by 28-19 points in the finals played at the Basketball Court of Lanreleke Sports Academy, Ileogbo.
Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Olusola Aiyepeku and the Director – General of the Commission, Mr Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan brainstorming during the championship.
In the final match of Handball game, Team Lagos proved their might against Ogun team by securing a 27-18 win.
Meanwhile, Mr Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, the Director – General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), in a chat with THE IMPACT, described the performance by the Team Lagos as the best ever.
“This was the best ever performance of Lagos, better than what we had when we hosted the zones in 2020. Hopefully, we will also translate this into victory during the festival proper in Delta.
Also, speaking at the end of the games, Head Coach, Lagos State Basketball Association, Olayinka Oyewunmi, called for early camping for Lagos athletes ahead of the 21st National Sports Festival in November.
Oyewunmi believes that the state athletes must have at least four weeks of intensive camping to ensure they are well prepared to make an impact at the ‘Asaba 2022’ NSF.
In his own reaction, the captain of the Basketball male team, David Edward, ascribed the team’s success to hard work and commitment of the players while thanking the Lagos State Sports Commission for motivating the athletes and officials to achieve set target.
