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For sustainable
development in sports, there is the need to advance the course of the
athlete at the grassroots citing that the grassroots serves as the
foundation for development.

This was the view
of Babatunde Fashola, the Lagos State Governor while addressing
spectators and athletes at the 16th edition of the monthly boxing show
organised by the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame.

Fashola said the
reason he supports grassroots sports is because it was the place where
athletes could learn the discipline to prepare themselves for
competitions, noting that only through adequate preparation could
success be achieved.

“This is the only
way I know by which we can achieve success, when athletes are prepared.
The way of preparation, the way of planning, and the way of hard work
is the way to go,” he said.

“I assure you that
the victory will be shallow if we do not make any effort at what we do.
When we prepare and plan, we will be proud of our victories when they
come”.

The governor also urged athletes not to be in too much of a hurry to succeed.

“I tell you, when
you begin to make some impact in chosen field of endeavour, it will be
the national coaches that will come looking for you”.

Athletes’ welfare paramount

The Lagos State Governor has revealed that efforts are presently underway to see to the welfare of the Lagos state athletes.

“I want our teams
to stand out as the best any time they go out and we are doing very
thing within our capacity to see that it happens. We want some of the
best athletes in Nigeria to be from Lagos state.

To make that a
reality the governor said he has personally begun to work closely with
those involved in sports development in Lagos.

“Let me say that I am personally involved in the preparation of our
athletes to the next Sports Festival. My office is in direct
communication & liaison with the Ministry of sport. Just last week,
I had a meeting with the commissioner for sports; chairman, State Sport
Commission and Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports about the
welfare, equipment, camping and allowances of the athletes to the next
Festival. As soon I get their reports we will be able to improve on our
strategies, so as to consolidate our gains in sports,” he said.