Fashola Bids Team Lagos Inspirational Farewell, Charges Them To Shun Desperation

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Saturday attended a send forth ceremony organized for the athletes of Team LAGOS to the National Sports Festival billed for Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urging them to compete to win but not to be desperate.

Governor Fashola who addressed the 384 athletes and 134 officials at the Rowe Park Sports Centre in Yaba added that any athlete who becomes desperate to win will end up cutting corners.

“When you become desperate to win, you cut corners, you cheat and even take performance enhancing drugs. We want our athletes in Lagos State to have a burning desire to win but never be desperate to win”.

Governor Fashola said they must be ready to go and compete with deep burning desire to do their best, by climbing very high, running very fast, jumping highly and swimming very swiftly.

He urged them not to seek laurels in any manner that brings disrepute to themselves, their family, siblings or state, adding that any medal that is not obtained by natural exertions and performance will not last.

He said Nigeria as a country is reaping the benefits of its lack of adequate preparations in sports with shoddy performances, stressing that there is a need to go back to the basics which is to give opportunities to the young ones to compete among themselves.

Governor Fashola said if this is done and in the fullness of time, such young ones will become champions, saying: “I don’t want to win a Gold medal that will be very difficult to retain tomorrow. It is easy to get to the top but very difficult to stay there”.

He said it is not impossible for umpires to make mistakes during competition, but the athletes should not take laws into their hands and must always prepare their minds that as they strive to win, they must also prepare to lose.

He explained that in his political life there have been some high and low points but because of his sporting inclinations he has always taken the low points in his strides while celebrating the high points.

“During the last general elections, many people were asking me why I was engaging in a very vigorous campaign when it appears that the opposition is not formidable, but I told them that the sportsman in me will not allow me to take anything for granted”, he said.

Governor Fashola wished them not just luck but the very best of luck that they can get stressing that they need it to avoid things like unexpected injuries at the last minute.

He reiterated that the Lagos State Government places importance on sports as a vehicle for doing many things such as development of the mind and body of people and for creating social interaction amongst young people.

The Governor said sports also represents an opportunity for employment because many young people are earning a living from their talents while their energy is still very potent and wished them journey mercies to Port Harcourt.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Sports, Mr Delano Conde had thanked the Governor for the adequate welfare of the athletes while in camp.He assured that the athletes and officials of Team Lagos that will represent the State at the forthcoming National Games in Port Harcourt will make the State proud.

Prominent among those who were present were the Consultant to the Governor on Sports, Mr Roger Appleby, the Chairman of the State’s Sports Council, Mr Agboola Dabiri as well as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sports, Mr Wale Oladunjoye and many other sports enthusiasts.