LAGOS GOVERNOR’S CUP TENNIS ON COURSE

Director General (DG), Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Mr. Ayodele Agbesanwa has assured the organisers of the Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis of the State Government’s full support for the 15th edition of the tournament. He gave this assurance today at a meeting with the organisers in Lagos.

Agbesanwa said that, upon his resumption as DG, one of the first assignments was his request for some files which included the Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis to familiarise himself with some of the contents.

He further said that, he isn’t a stranger to the tournament over the years with the deployment of a media team for coverage while he was at Lagos Television (LTV). He assured the organisers that the tourney has come to stay with the support of the State Government because of the tourney’s lofty and achievable objectives that would be of immense benefits to the populace of Lagos State.

Agbesanwa noted that, it was indeed a privilege to meet Chief Pius Oluwole Akinyelure, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Prince Wale Oladunjoye. He thanked the organisers for their commitment, resources expended and for keeping the tourney running, year in year out. While he further assured the LOC of provision of vehicles for transportation purposes as requested by the organisers.

The LOC said that they are happy with this collaboration with and full support of the tourney by the State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. They hope and believe that His Excellency would grace the finals.

They organisers had earlier opined that one of the tournament’s objectives is to attract emerging Nigerian Stars to compete with the best International Circuit players for experience and rating.

L-R SEGUN EGORP; OLUMIDE FILADE; PRINCE WALE OLADUNJOYE; CHIEF PIUS OLUWOLE AKINYELURE; AYODELE AGBESANWA & OLUMIDE TRAVIH

The ultimate aim of the tourney is to become a full blown Lagos International Open, but with the present Lagos Governor’s Cup Tennis, Nigeria has eight Wild Cards for its players.

At the 14th edition, thirty-eight countries participated. The tournament is organised with full the involvement of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The tourney is yet to become entrance fee paying. It would hold from 5th to 19th December, 2015.

DIRECTOR GENERAL, LSSC COMMENCES SPORTS FACILITIES INSPECTION

Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Ayodele Agbesanwa has commenced the inspection tour of sports facilities under the Commission with Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and Onikan Stadium, Onikan.

Mr. Agbesanwa at the Onikan Stadium said that with the directive issued to the stadiums managers to open up these facilities for communities use, it was necessary to ensure that these facilities are in good shape and well maintained so as to serve the purposes for which they were meant for.

Onikan Stadium Turf

At Onikan Stadium, the Director General had a meeting with some of the tenants on the property and directed that they should ensure clean, healthy and attractive environment as the current environment is not acceptable. He reiterated that he would enforce the State environmental Law against them if they do not comply immediately.

Agbesanwa issued A warning to all the illegal occupants at Onikan Stadium to vacate the premises immediately or face the full wrath of the law for non-compliance. He directed the facility manager of Onikan to ensure that all directives and instructions are followed to the letter. While opining that, Onikan Stadium that has a memorable history should be brought back to its former glory days especially now that it would serve as home ground to one of the two Lagos Clubs that have gained promotion into the GLO Premier League.

DIRECTOR GENERAL, LSSC AYO AGBESANWA COMMENCES SPORTS FACILITIES INSPECTION

While at the Rowe Park Sports Centre,Yaba, the Director General disclosed that the Swimming Pool there will soon be given a facelift for the training of the State Athletes.

He further said that an area have also been created at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba for a Gym for Lagos State Athletes and also for public use. He added that the Multi-Purpose Sports Facilities at the Centre is open to members of the communities for sporting activities, most especially schools for grassroots sports development.

Mr. Agbesanwa however enjoined both Public and Private Schools that are interested in using these sports facilities not to hesitate in approaching the Facility Manager for enquiries.