Lagos 2012 Sports Festival: Fashola Signs Protocol Agreement

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has reiterated the readiness of the Lagos State government to host a befitting 18th National Sports Festival scheduled for 2012.

The sports festival has been scheduled to hold in Lagos from 27 November to 9 December, 2012.

Governor Fashola, who  on Friday signed the protocol agreement of the Games with the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Patrick Ekeji, at the Governor’s office, Lagos House, said the exercise was an indication that the state is serious with its commitment  to the development of  sports, while the government would not renege on its promises to stage the sports festival.

The Governor, who had featured in National Sports Festival in the past, said the decision of the state government to host the Games was deliberate as he stressed that the objective of the Games is to discover new athletes who expected to  be groomed to represent Nigeria in future tournaments.

He assured that the state government is not hosting to win but create a platform for the state’s athletes to perform better, adding Lagos plans to  use the Games to re-brand sporting activities in Nigeria.

The Director General in the National Sports Commission, Patrick Ekeji, who commended Lagos for setting the pace for sports development in the country, said the protocol agreement  shows that the Games has started. He assured that the commission would work closely with the state government in the area of technical support.

Ekeji, said the Commission would made available the National Stadium, Surulere in addition to other facilities the state would be using for the Games, adding that the governor has a reputable Sports Commissioner, Waheed Enitan Oshodi and other officials who have genuine interest in sports.

Ekeji said that he looks forward to seeing Lagos State surpassing the feat recorded by the last host, Rivers State at the Garden City Games.