The Sports Directorate of the Tinubu-Shettima/SanwoOlu-Hamzat Independent Campaign Group has held her inaugural meeting with the Director, Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, charging members to serve assiduously by coming up with ideas that will aide the directorate.
The inaugural meeting which was held at the ICG secretariat in Oduduwa Crescent, Ikeja had in attendance all members of the committee including the Deputy Director; Ms Bose Kaffo, Assistant Director; Mr. Deji Ajayi and the directorate Secretary; Mr. Ralph Asiemo.
Bolowotan who is also the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission disclosed to members that the directorate was mandated to use sports to get adequate support from all corners of the state for the candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima as well as the reelection of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat and all candidates of the APC.
The inaugural meeting also had members nominated into sub-committees to hasten up the obligations of the directorate.
The directorate is set to hit every nooks and crannies of the state with sporting activities to garner support for the candidacy of the ruling party. Already, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Ajegunle (Amuwo Odofin) have been activated with different sports competition while other areas of the states are set to be activated.
Toyin Gafaar Bolowotan, a Sports administrator, brand expert and grassroots politician also served as the Director of the Sports Directorate when it was first created in 2018.
Sanwo-Olu/Ajegunle Mock Nations cup is set to hold between January 7th and February 19th 2023, which is to feature 42 teams they are bearing different African country names, it is promised to be as exciting as it used to be.
Mock nations cup has starred a lot of Nigerian players Emmanuel Amunike, Samson Siasia, Henry Nwosu, Stephen Keshi among other ex super eagles players.
A press conference held yesterday for the purpose of the Sanwo-Olu/Ajegunle Mock Cup to reel out the line up of the competitions, cash prices was also given to the winners of the last edition of the competition, team Angola who is the winner of the competition go home with the whooping sum of 500,000 naira while the second position, team Libya got the sum of 300,000 naira, lastly the third position team Benin Republic got the sum of 250,000 naira.
Coach Isaac in his opening remarks “I am delighted being here today because of a fulfillment and that is, I want to tell you that when this competition was going to a draw four years ago, we have a contesting Governor who is now our present Governor coming to our rescue. We didn’t know if we would stay in the competition that year but he came to our rescue saying,”go ahead I will finance it” and he financed the competition. Though there has been some obstacles after then but he still came up to say,”is this competition dying, no it has to be revived”.
He added “But it has been going on, we have had series, including the league of vision after that year, one in 2020, 2021 except 2022 but one will be held this year with the support of our sitting Governor. I want to tell you that those clubs winners, first, second and third runners up, the promise made by our gentle man will be met today.”
Hon. Toyin Gafaar Director General Lagos State Sport Commission, in his remarks, Ajegunle mock tournament the 36th edition. I remember growing up, knowing to come down to Ajegunle to watch the football, that was when I first came across Taiwo okunluwanka knowing the history of the mock nation’s cup because it is ever exciting there is never a full moment starting from the day one to the last day.
Presentation of cheques
“I am still the Director of sports at the ICG and I was in 2019, that was my first assignment when we came in there and I made that recommendation. The Governor, the chief of staff and people who had a name in Lagos was also present and they also saw it and since that time they have been wondering and thank God today is the day of fulfillment, promise made is promise kept. You get your prices as at when due, we will not leave sport alone, sport will continue to flourish in Lagos. Like the saying, if you want to do more, you must definitely do more because the little that is given to us now, we expect that we will show appreciation in supporting him, in realizing the youths.”
“We should encourage him not only in prayer but to also take active steps in sports and politics because they are interwoven. By so doing, I hope we have a very exciting competition starting from Saturday 7th of January through February 19, I wish you all the best.”
Hon. Anthony Adeboye SSA on Sport to Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his remarks “Ajegunle started from some where 90% of all the players have played in international league in Nigeria are from Ajegunle, based and trained in Ajegunle. I am used to Ajegunle, I am not from Ajegunle but my youthful days are mostly spent in Ajegunle with my friends.”
He added “This mock nation’s cup in Ajegunle can not be compared to any football competition in Nigeria not even in Lagos State you have a hard-working governor a man that keeps promises, a man of the people, a man that wakes the youths from their slumber and he has made it known that sports is not something you can play with in this country. I want to plead to you that election is coming up, let us get our voters card and come out in masses and support an hardworking Governor also support our Leader to become the next President of Nigeria.”
Olorogun John popularly known as Daddy Showkey the Ajegunle star musician in his own remarks “When it started, it was just a little thing that started in our area that is beyond us We know the way it is now, right now all the countries will be represented in the preliminary, at the opening ceremony entertainment will surely be there and most of the time we discover new football artist, I also commend Hon. Ladi Balogun myself and him play a great role when this competition is dying also our special appreciation to Mr. Governor for coming to our rescue.
Hon. Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun MD LAGFERRY also member of the committee I am passionate about my community and the youth development. I got the inspiration from Governor. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu who is also committed to see the fulfillment of the growth of the young ones . He want to hand over to a generation that are already encouraged, motivated and well to do in the society and for us in Ajegunle, we don’t do crime, drugs or engage in fight.
Balogun said “What we are known for in Ajegunle is sports and entertainments. In these two areas, the governor has already dedicated the fifth pillar of his development agenda to entertainment , tourism and sports this is why you would see us Ajegunle playing a vital role in the overall calculation of the development in this dispensation as championed by Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
He said “I find myself asymmetrically in this equation because this is the vision the government of the day have for the youths, entertainment sector, and the sports sector to drive the economy of Lagos and that is why i have dedicated so much to my place of birth which is Ajegunle. We want to see things going well for us and that is why a competition that has been handed down to us by our fore bearers six years ago and we are in charge today,We want to see it grow to the extent that we hand it over to the next generation to continue the tradition of excellence in sports and in entertainments. That is why Sanwo-Olu/ Ajegunle mock nation’s cup is so excited that we are looking forward to a very good time having all the talented sports star around.
“This particular edition we are going to feature 42 teams and they are bearing different African name and the defending champion will be there. The most interesting fact about this is every community in Ajegunle and the other side of Lagos have one particular team or the other that they are supporting.
He added “When I was growing up, i grew up at Alaya bi agba area of Ajegunle in Lagos State and this area has their traditional team their cote d voire with the likes of Erinwosu Taiwo iyede, Monday dieka, they have also played in these communities before stardom, for us it is a community development and for us to see talents grow and to nurture talents into stardom. We know that the stars, that are going to be added to this competition are going to grow into stardom playing for the national team and also taking their football careers abroad, make themselves and their family comfortable.”
The Mo’Care Meranda Foundation hosted the sport hunt of basketball Tournament for the year 2022, for the children between 10 to 16 years in the region of Lagos at the Row park, Herbert Macaulay way, Yaba Lagos which took place between 29 and 30th of December 2022.
According to the Sponsor of the competition Engr. Johnpaul Meranda he challenged young children in the region of Lagos to be model citizens within their immediate society, which could get them to the global level.
He reminded them of his playing days in basketball court, just as he spoke of his readiness to support the youths’ basketball dreams. He admonished the children on the need to take their education seriously as it’s very vital for their proper integration into the society.
Mo’Care Meranda Charity Foundation in her usual way of hosting Basketball Competition in Lagos, the foundation host a novelty Basketball Match competition in honour of the All Progressives Congress Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and The Executive Governor of Lagos State Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu which held on the 29th-30th of December 2022.
According to Engr. John Paul Meranda he said the competition is in line with the spirit of sportsmanship and the love for Lagos Youths.
He added “Sport has the potential to unite people in times of extreme chaos and violence. Even in the most tumultuous of circumstances, sport gives people from all sides a respite from the endless conflict and violence and allows combatants to see each other once again as human beings instead of merely enemies.”
“We decided to come up with this to unite our Youths and be a good ambassador of Lagos State also to support our Incoming President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his second term in office.”
As part Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, AMA birthday celebration and schedule for the forthcoming general elections, ALL STARS IMOTA hosts ALL STARS IJEDE in a goalless draw novelty match, today Saturday 24th December.
According to AMA, the Novelty match is an amazing show of love which was met with emotional gratitude.
AMA further added that similar novelty matches are scheduled to be played between ALL STARS FOOTBALL CLUB IJEDE, IGBOGBO, ELEPE, OLU-ODO, ALABIYAMO AT BAIYEKU and many others in Ikorodu Constituency II.
He also urged people that registered for new PVC, revalidation, defaced, transfer to collect their PVCs and vote for all APC Candidates.
In celebration of the birthday of the Executive Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Builder Deola Banjo which he commemorated 1st of October, 2022, APC youths and the National youth council of Nigeria earlier today played a novelty match to honour the Chairman.
The event held at the Fun factory, Itamaga football field where officials of the LCDA, friends and lovers of the Builder gathered to witness the historic event.
After 90 minutes of play the game ended in a 6-6 draw with the Executive Chairman scoring the last goal of the match in a honorary penalty kick to the excitement of the audience.
The Chairman thanked the two football groups for the honour and he promised never to disappoint them.
Olamilekan Dada host the second edition of RYE cycling competition in Anibaba, Ikorodu which is aimed at promoting cycling as a sport and recreation in every community.
The race commenced from Eketunde Street through Anibaba Street to Omini Street, then Orewaye Street, end at Eketunde Street.
According to the host of the competition Olamilekan Dada “my decision behind this cycling is because we need to look at other sports that we can develop ourself and get talents from there to promote our children and the people, I want to promote cycling as a sport and as a recreation activity in the community to take away their minds from other extra curriculum activities that make the society look like a terror zone.”
“We find talents and work on them and walk them to a greater height, we have people like hurdle record breaker (Tobi Amusan) we can have that too in other sports like tennis, cycling but today the participants will be given a token and award (Medal) it’s not just the money but the fun and make them work on themselves, this is the second edition we’re not where we want it to be but as time goes we will move and there is still more projects after this, it is not cycling alone we have for the children” he added
At the end of the race Quadri Alataniyo emerged first while Rasheed Balogun “Celeb” come second, for the third position is Lawal Bamidele, and the Fastest lap Adeoye Odubayeje, each of them got cash prize and medals.
The Mo’Care Meranda Foundation in partnership with Dodan Kadet basketball, recently hosted the third edition of basketball clinic, tagged “Engaging them Young” for children ages between 5 to 16 years at the Dodan barracks parade ground, Obalende, Lagos.
Presentation of prizes
The initiative promoted and sponsored by Engr. Johnpaul Meranda, also featured a competition amongst teams within the community.
Speaking at the end of the 3-day event, Meranda challenged young children in the community to be model citizens of society, reminding them of his playing days in basketball court. He also spoke of his readiness to support the youths’ basketball dreams, just as he admonished them on the need to take their education seriously.
Lagos State Government has flagged off the Lagos State School Sports Intervention Programme (LASSIP) designed to reintegrate sports into the school curriculum.
Speaking at the official commencement of the initiative held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu, stated that LASSIP, conceived two years ago, is another of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s unprecedented investments in youth development designed to provide more options and opportunities for students to excel in sports and academics.
He explained that the initiative introduced by the present administration through the Lagos State Sports Commission, in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, would deepen the commitment to developing and transforming school sports.
The Commissioner emphasised the importance of the programme to the Greater Lagos vision, adding that LASSIP will provide an opportunity for the schools to groom students who will excel in Sports and Education, noting that the programme will be held in different batches for over 400 Games Masters and Physical Education Teachers.
Sponsored
Also, the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Sola Aiyepeku said LASSIP’s broad vision includes leveraging sports to promote physical fitness and wellness, alternative career paths for young people and a sustainable pipeline of talent discovery and development.
The LSSC boss stated further that through the partnership with the Ministry of Education and collaboration of the six education districts, the Statewide training programme will attain its full potential through the training of over 400 sports masters and physical education teachers across Lagos as a first step in the deployment of the LASSIP.
“We are also planning to educate the parents so that they can allow the children to participate in Sports and the Career paths that exist in it”, Aiyepeku added.
The Permanent Secretary, Education District I, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin, commended the LSSC for working closely with the Education Districts since the inception of the present administration, just as she applauded the LASSIP initiative.
Solarin also acknowledged the efforts of the present administration, through the LSSC, for the training of Games Masters/Mistresses and Physical Education Teachers towards contributing meaningfully to the development of School Sports in Lagos State.
The Ikorodu Ambassador for Sport And a Sport presenter on IKD FM 106.1, Amb. Deen Oluwanimilo Olamilekan (Milobaby Deen), has charged the fans and supporters of the club, to use the Easter celebration period in seeking the face of God for the progress of the club, Ikorodu and the state.
The Sport Ambassador, in his Easter goodwill message, to Christians, on behalf of the club, called on the fans to appreciate the Lord Almighty for the grace to see this year’s celebration in peace.
“On behalf of the Management, Staff and Players of the Ikorodu City Football Club, I want to use his medium to congratulate all Christians, particularly fans and supporters of this great club, home and abroad, on this year’s Easter celebrations.
“While I want us to thank God for the gift of life, I want to encourage us to make use of the lessons, the dead of the Lord Jesus Christ thought us and to continue to pray and hope for the best for state”.
Sponsored
Meanwhile, Milobaby has called on all the supporters and fans of the Ikorodu City Fc to come out in their large numbers on Saturday, to back their darling team when they take on Campos Fc of Owerri, in a matchday 11 fixtures.
“I am passionately appealing to our supporters and fans to come out enmass tomorrow (Saturday) and be our twelve player against Campos Fc of Owerri.
“While we are fully prepared to make you happy by securing the all important three points , we need your presence and support for this to be achieved on Saturday,” added Ambassador Deen Oluwanimilo Olamilekan (Milobaby Deen)
AjasaInfo 