Government to award scholarships to outstanding students

intern

November 14, 2016 1:29 PM

The Director of School Sports made the assertion on Friday in Lagos.

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Students who excel in the various schools competitions by the Lagos State Government for talents discovery will be awarded scholarships, Olusegun Kolawole, Director, School Sports, has said.

Kolawole, made the assertion when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the finals of the U-17 Lagos Hockey League on Friday in Lagos.

The competition, sponsored by the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) and the Lagos State Hockey Association, held the Campos Square Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.

The director said that the youth were the future leaders of the country; hence, there was a need for talents hunt right from their young age.

“I want to state categorically that sports in Lagos State are taking a new dimension when we talk about grassroots developments. It is a talent hunt for the future.

“For us, it goes beyond school sports, it is about creating a platform to mentor and develop the young ones for them to achieve their dreams.

“The government is open and ready to support grassroots development programmes. This is what we want in all our Education Districts.

“We want to identify talents through school sports and select those that will represent the state at both national and international levels,’’ he said.

Kolawole said that the government was interested in the welfare of the students, adding that those identified with one or more sports would be awarded scholarships.

“Our amiable Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode is interested in the various grassroots sports that we have organised and promised to see to the development of the talents.

“Those identified would be handed over to the various sports associations who will mold them to elite athletes.

“The government has a lot of motivation for the students and has also provided scholarships for them even to outside the country. Any student that stands out will get government attention.

“We are glad identifying, nurturing and grooming young talented hockey players and others athletes not just for today’s consumption, but as tomorrow’s leaders,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the Hockey competition for secondary schools in Lagos State started as a league competed in by four educational districts.

Eletuo Odibo High School, Abule Oja, Akoka, defeated Oke Magba Senior High School Eredo, Epe 3-2 via penalties to win the boys’ category of the competition staged at Campos Square Mini Stadium on Lagos Island.

Igboye Community High School Eredo, Epe, also clinched the title in the female category having defeated Surulere Girls Senior Secondary School, Masha, Surulere, 1-0.

It is noteworthy that the winners of both the male and female categories have not played the game at a competitive stage before.

intern