Lagos dominates Southwest NSF eliminations

Ahead of the 23rd National Sports Festival in Enugu, Team Lagos achieved strong results at the Southwest zonal elimination games in Ibadan. They claimed four first-place finishes across five team sports, including basketball, beach volleyball, cricket, football, and volleyball in both male and female categories. The zonal elimination event took place from September 13 to 16, with teams from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti competing for spots at the National Sports Festival.

Lagos excelled in volleyball, winning both the men's and women's categories. Their men's basketball team emerged victorious, while their women's football team secured the top spot. In addition, Lagos athletes secured runner-up positions in women's basketball and both the men's and women's cricket competitions.

The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, acknowledged the significance of these results, attributing them to the state's commitment to talent development and competitive sports. He emphasized that the performance demonstrated the caliber of talent in Lagos and the impact of investments in athlete development.

Fatodu also praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his sustained support and investment in sports infrastructure, which he believes is creating a platform for athletes to compete at the highest level and inspire the next generation.

The director-general further explained that the state's objective extends beyond winning medals to building a sports system that identifies and develops talent from grassroots to elite levels. He stressed that every medal matters, but creating opportunities for young Lagosians to discover and develop their abilities is even more crucial.