15,000 Athletes To Participate Maiden National Intermediate Games

Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday disclosed that about 15,000 athletes from across the country are expected to participate in the maiden edition of the National Intermediate Sports Festival scheduled to take place in Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu who revealed this after inspecting sporting facilities at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, as part of preparations for the national competition scheduled to hold in October, noted that several sporting facilities across Lagos would be used to host the events.

He said the state is ready to host the maiden National Intermediate Sports Festival, assuring that ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of sporting facilities across the state will be completed ahead of the competition.

The governor said the state had about 60 days to put finishing touches to the facilities and ensure that they meet international standards before thousands of young athletes arrive in Lagos for the competition.
According to him, Lagos was selected by the National Sports Commission as the host of the inaugural National Intermediate Sports Festival about two months ago, prompting the state government to intensify work on its sporting infrastructure.

He said the competition would provide an opportunity to strengthen grassroots sports development and discover young talents before they are lost to other countries.

Sanwo-Olu said, “We have only about 60 days to ensure that everything that we are doing will be put to international standards. We believe that we will be there and we will do it.”

The governor said the state had, about three years ago, embarked on a strategic rehabilitation programme covering about 10 stadia in different parts of Lagos.

He listed some of the locations as Surulere, Ifako, Badagry, Epe, Agege, and Ikorodu, among others, saying the initiative was aimed at rebuilding and upgrading sports facilities across the state.

At the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Sanwo-Olu inspected the main football and athletics arena, indoor sports facilities, volleyball court and swimming pool, among other facilities.

He said the main football pitch was being upgraded to FIFA standards and would become one of the best football pitches in the country when completed.

“The main football pitch is a FIFA-graded one and, from what I am told, will be number two in the country. It is natural grass and they have laid the grass. The wet ring and tartan track will also be completed within the next four to six weeks,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that extensive renovation was ongoing at the indoor sports hall, including the installation of roofing, seats, flooring and air-conditioning facilities.

He, however, identified the swimming pool as one of the areas requiring urgent attention ahead of the competition, assuring that it would be ready for the games.

“We will need to very quickly activate the swimming pool. I can assure you that it will be ready for that competition,” Sanwo-Olu said.