By Damilola Abiola
The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu, has reiterated the importance of school sports as the foundation for sustainable sports development in the state.
“There is no better incubation ground, sports identification, and recognition platform than a well-managed and coordinated school environment,” Fatodu stated during a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Ali-Balogun, at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja. “We understand the importance of these extracurricular activities in shaping students’ future and making them well-rounded individuals.”
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He stressed the need for collaboration between the LSSC and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to foster knowledge-sharing and create better opportunities for young and budding athletes.
Fatodu noted that sports and education can coexist, allowing students to acquire vital skills while pursuing their academic goals. He emphasized that leveraging key elements in the sports ecosystem would provide student-athletes with more opportunities to hone their skills and build sustainable careers.
Highlighting the long-term vision for school sports, Fatodu added, “Strengthening this partnership will help restore the glory days of school sports as part of a strategic intervention to build a more sustainable community, offering students multiple career pathways.”
In response, Commissioner Jamiu Ali-Balogun described sports as a viable career path for students and emphasized the need for strong collaboration between the Ministry and the Sports Commission.
“To effectively nurture talent in schools, we must work together to accelerate sustainable development through co-curricular activities,” Ali-Balogun said. “Sports can open doors for students and provide them with better opportunities for future success.”
The discussions between both agencies signal a renewed commitment to integrating sports into the school system, ensuring that young talents in Lagos State receive the necessary support to thrive both academically and athletically.