By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
SPORTS HAVE emerged as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, national growth, and crime reduction.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said this on Friday during the opening of the second edition of the Obasa Games 2024 in Lagos.
He emphasized the transformative impact of sports on Nigerian society.
Obasa described sports as a sector with the potential to enrich the youth, drive business development, and elevate the country globally.
He credited recent advancements in sports for inspiring the Lagos Assembly to amend the State’s Sports Commission Law to cater to emerging opportunities.
“Sports is the future of our youth. Beyond being a tool for recreation, it has become a major economic driver worldwide.
“Here in Lagos, it is a critical avenue for reducing crime and engaging our youth meaningfully,” Obasa said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the annual Obasa Games as a platform for uniting and empowering young people.
The event also drew praise from the Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Omobolaji Ogunlende, who pledged government support for initiatives like the Obasa Games.
Ogunlende encouraged participants to exhibit excellence, noting that such events foster growth and development among the youth.
Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, Chairman of Kings Sports International and organiser of the games, attributed the event’s expansion to the success of its inaugural edition.
He announced the inclusion of various sports, including football, boxing, table tennis, chess, and Scrabble, featuring athletes from the Lagos West Senatorial District’s 10 Local Government Areas and 18 Local Council Development Areas.
“We honour Speaker Obasa’s visionary contributions to Lagos State, his unwavering support for the youth, and his belief in sports as a vehicle for positive change,” Abdul-Ganiyu said.
High Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, commended the partnership between his council and the organisers, stressing sports’ role as a cost-effective tool for peace and sustainable development.
He urged residents to embrace sportsmanship and participate in similar initiatives noting that the games highlight how local collaborations, visionary leadership, and youth-centered programmes can drive social change and economic progress.
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