The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has described sports development as a catalyst for national development and socio-economic growth, saying its importance should not be downplayed in the country.
The Speaker, who remarked at the opening of the second edition of Obasa Games 2024, a platform through which the organisers seek to further unite youths in Lagos, added that sports can make the country more remarkable, enrich the youths, and improve businesses across the country.
While commending Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod, Chairman of Kings Sports International and organiser of the Obasa Games, the Speaker noted that emerging developments in sports prompted the Lagos Assembly’s amendment of the State’s Sports Commission Law to accommodate new areas beneficial to the youths.
“I am passionate about football and have always been a sportsman. Sports are an advantage to us in this state and the nation, and I reiterate that they are the future of our youth. Go anywhere in the world; sports has become a huge business,” he said.
Obasa further stressed that sports can help combat crimes and increase youth engagement in activities that boost national growth and development.
“We have realised that the government alone cannot provide employment. We have also realised that because of the peculiarities of our nation as well as our advantage in terms of population, we can generate businesses out of sports to move the youth away from crime,” he said.
In his speech, the Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Omobolaji Ogunlende, also commended the organisers of the games and pledged the government’s support for such initiatives aimed at growing the youth. He charged the participants to be at their best.
In his address, Abdul-Ganiyu said the success of the first edition of the games gave the impetus to continue and expand the scope.
“This year’s event, featuring football, boxing, table tennis, chess and Scrabble, brought together talented athletes and teams from across the 10 Local Government Areas and 18 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the Lagos West Senatorial District’, he said.
