Governor Ambode pledges to increase investment in sports
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday
pledged to increase investment in sports development to encourage
greater participation and talent discovery to turn vulnerable youths
away from criminal activities.
Ambode made the pledge at the Lagos House, Ikeja,
while receiving the
Green Team which represented Nigeria and Africa at the Mini
International Basketball tournament recently in Matera, Italy.
The members of the team are the first Africans to participate in the competition since its inception in 1993.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Green Team Nigeria
is an international basketball organisation that promotes the
development of the game amongst children.
Ambode, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, said
that sports remained one of the avenues to develop the younger
generation and encourage social integration among people of different
races.
“In furtherance to our campaign promises, this administration remains
committed to the development of sports and sporting facilities in the
state to encourage greater participation.
“While efforts are ongoing to reduce crime and criminal activities in
the state, attention will be given to the provision of modern sports
facilities.
“This will encourage our young sportsmen and women and turn
vulnerable youths away from criminal activities using sports as a
veritable alternative,’’ he said.
He enjoined the team not to rest on its oars but to continue to strive for excellence in basketball.
“Our government will continue to support the team and other similar
groups committed to the development of sporting prowess of Nigerian
children, especially of Lagos extraction,’’ he said.
Earlier in his address, Mr Jerry Aigbede, President of the Green Team Nigeria, thanked the government for receiving the team.
Aigbede said the children were delighted to participate in the
competition as they were more exposed and had cultural exchanges with
children from other countries.
He urged government at all levels to see sports as development
strategy for youths who constituted about 70 per cent of the population.
“In order to address the societal disadvantage, marginalisation and
discouragement which youths face today, government must use sports to
develop them.
“Sporting activities will take them out of their present state of
despair and they will continue to do the country proud at international
competitions,’’ Aigbede said.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of awards won by the team in Italy to the governor.
The Green Team that visited the government house included the
children who participated in the competition, their parents and coaches
as well as the members of management of the organization
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