Sports is key to youth development, national growth, says Lagos Speaker Obasa
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has emphasized the pivotal role of sports in enhancing the country’s economy, enriching youth, and boosting businesses.
He made the statement on Friday evening at the launch of the second edition of the Obasa Games 2024, a youth-focused sporting event aimed at fostering unity among young people in Lagos.
Obasa commended Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, Chairman of Kings Sports International, for organizing the event and expressed his support for the role sports plays in youth development.
He further highlighted that the Lagos State Assembly had recently amended the State’s Sports Commission Law to include emerging sports areas beneficial to young people.
As an ardent supporter of football and sports in general, Obasa noted the global business potential of sports, saying, “Sports is an advantage to us in this state and the nation… it is the future of our youth. Sports has become a huge business worldwide.”
The Speaker also emphasized that sports can serve as a solution to rising crime rates by engaging youth in productive activities that contribute to national development. “We have realized that government alone cannot provide employment… with our large population, we can generate businesses from sports that will help take youth away from crime,” he said, affirming that the Obasa Games will continue to thrive.
In a show of support, Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Omobolaji Ogunlende, lauded the organizers and pledged the government’s commitment to initiatives aimed at empowering the youth. He encouraged participants to showcase their best performances.
Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, the event organizer, reflected on the success of the inaugural Obasa Games, noting that it fueled the desire to expand this year’s edition. The 2024 games feature football, boxing, table tennis, chess, and Scrabble, with athletes from the 10 Local Government Areas and 18 Local Council Development Areas of the Lagos West Senatorial District competing.
Abdul-Ganiyu praised Speaker Obasa’s dedication to youth development, calling him an inspiration for fostering sports as a tool for positive change.
Highlighting the local support, High Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, Chairman of the Agege Local Government Area, expressed his council’s partnership with the event, emphasizing the importance of sports in promoting peace and development. He urged residents to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship for the betterment of their communities.
