NAN-S-10
Games
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, April 24, 2017 (NAN) Adegboyega Adenuga, a Lagos-based athletics coach, has appealed to the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) to revive the state’s Secondary Schools Sports Festival known as IBILE Games.
Adenuga, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, described the games as a good platform that had helped young athletes to showcase their skills.
NAN reports that 162 schools participated in the first edition of the games in 2012, while 200 schools took part in the second edition held in 2014.
They participated in athletics, football, handball, volleyball, basketball, taekwondo, weightlifting, table tennis, weightlifting, scrabble, swimming and chess, among other sports.
According to the coach, the games assisted talented athletes to be recognised by sports associations.
The coach noted that the biannual games were held in 2012 and 2014 after which no other edition had taken place.
“We were very happy when IBILE Games were introduced in 2012 because the games brought life to sports at the grassroots, and athletes were excited.
“At the last games, many athletes showcased their talents; those unable to win medals in first and second editions continued to train in readiness for the third edition.
“At the end, the third edition never took place. It is disappointing that after the second edition in 2014; nothing has been heard or said by LSSC.
“This situation is affecting the career of our athletes; it is not improving grassroots sports in the state.
“I am appealing to LSSC to organise the games this year in the interest of our young athletes,’’ he said.
Adenuga added that the call to hold IBILE Games had become necessary since the National Sports Festival (NSF) had continued to be postponed.
“LSSC should not allow dearth of competitions to slow the standard of sports. The commission should live up to expectations by organising the IBILE Games,’’ the coach said. (NAN)
MIL/ENN/IGO
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Ijeoma Popoola)