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Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has inaugurated Lagos Sports Trust Fund with mandate to raise fund for sports development in the state,saying funding of sports should not be the exclusive preserve of government.
Speaking at the Lagos House in Ikeja on Monday, where he inaugurated the new boards of the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund, Ambode emphasised the need for the private sector to partner with the government to invest in sports development.
He said: “I want to reiterate our commitment to the sports sector and the need for collaboration between the government and all sports stakeholders in the state.
“In achieving our vision in sports, it is our belief that the funding of sports should not be the responsibility of government alone. This informed the establishment of the Sports Trust Fund, whose mandate is primarily to interface with the private and public sectors to raise funds for sports development.
“Funds raised through the Sports Trust Fund would be utilised for various aspects of sports development on the recommendation and advice of the Sports Commission.”
On the other hand, the State Sports Commission is charged with the responsibility of upgrading and maintaining various sports facilities, developing strategic plans for sports development in the state and identifying and creating new locations for development of community sports facilities among others.
The governor said the inauguration of the new boards of both agencies was part of the grand plan of positioning Lagos as one of the top sports destinations in Africa.
While the Trust Fund is chaired by a former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro, the Lagos State Sports Commission is to be headed by seasoned sports administrator, Dr Kweku Adedayo Tandoh.
Other members of the Trust Fund are Olaposi Agunbiade (Executive Secretary), Dr Enitan Oshodi, Oladipo Awe, Adekoyejo Adejumo, Segun Odusanya, Akindele Ogunlana, Kweku Tandoh, Babatunde Bank-Anthony, Moyosore Ogunseinde, Professor Ademola Abass, Fola Padonu and Omolola Essien.
Members of the Sports Commission are Babatunde Bank-Anthony (Director General), Olaposi Agunbiade (Executive Secretary), Gboyega Edu, Toyin Okenla-Ojeaga, Prince Fatai Olukunga, Abdulazeez Tijani, Babatunde Fatayi-Williams, Oluseyi Akinwunmi, Bolaji Adeniji-Adele and Gbenga Kuye.
