10th National Youth Games: NSC Delegates Inspect Lagos Sports Facilities
As part of the due process towards Lagos State’s bid to host the 10th edition of the annual National Youth Games (NYG), delegates from the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the management staff of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) embarked on a two-day inspection tour of sporting facilities across the state.
The Lagos State Government has expressed strong interest in hosting the grassroots developmental programme, which is designed to showcase and nurture raw sporting talent across various disciplines. The move aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports and education.
The inspection commenced at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, before proceeding to the National Stadium. Other facilities assessed included the newly refurbished Elegbata Sports Complex, the iconic Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Cricket Oval at Tafawa Balewa Square, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre (Rowe Park, Yaba), University of Lagos Sports Complex, CMS Grammar School (Bariga), and the Agege Stadium.
During a briefing with NSC officials, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, stressed the significance of the NYG as a platform for athletes under the age of 15, reaffirming Lagos State’s readiness to host one of the best editions of the Games in Nigeria’s history.
“Sports has gone beyond traditional engagement. It has become a purpose-driven way of life, and that is the agenda Lagos State is championing,” Fatodu said.
He added that the timing of the 10th edition, coinciding with another national election year, presents an opportunity to unite Nigerians, one of the core objectives of the NYG since its establishment in 2013.
Fatodu thanked the NSC for showing confidence in Lagos and pledged that the state would address any recommendations from the inspection team to ensure a world-class hosting experience if granted the rights.
The Head of the NSC delegation and Director of Grassroots Sports Development, Mrs. Amaka Ashiofu, highlighted that one of the key objectives of granting hosting rights is to boost sports infrastructure in host states.
She noted that the Commission’s role includes identifying areas for improvement and collaborating with the state government to ensure smooth preparations.
The NYG, beyond providing a platform for U-15 athletes to compete, also opens up opportunities for scholarships to tertiary institutions. Hosting the Games in Lagos would not only promote grassroots sports but also showcase the state’s iconic facilities, rich culture, and status as Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre to the world.
