Date: 2017-09-07

There are strong indications that Lagos State contingent may not be participating in this year's National Youth Games, which kick off today in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Having emerged winner at the South West Zonal Eliminations in Ilorin with six gold, two silver, and one bronze medals, Lagos state boys and girls teams qualified for the basketball event while the Cricket male team also made it to Ilorin championship, handball male and female teams as well as hockey (male and female) and Volleyball (female) all made it to the Youth Games.

From the 10 sports to be competed for at the National Youth Games, Lagos State will compete in eight with the aim of throwing up talents for national handlers in these events.

However, the eager athletes' dream of competing with their counterparts from other states may be in doubt following the inability to get the approval of the state government.

Already, some of the athletes have started shaping up across the state in readiness for the Ilorin championships but as it is nothing seems in sight that the state will be represented at the games.

Unlike Lagos, Osun State at the weekend doled out 18m for the state contingent while the state is targeting 35 medals at the forthcoming 3rd National Youth Games.

According to the State Commissioner for socio Protection, Sports and Special Needs, Biyi Odunlade, the state would be prosecuting the games with sixty-eight athletes who have been properly trained and are ready to do the state proud. Odunlade said the State Governor has approved eighteen million naira for the events with an assurance that no overage athletes would be allowed to represent the State at the event.

For the Acting General Manager, Osun State Sports Council, Lola Oluokun, the athletes are primed to bring a lot of medals back to the state from the events. Osun State team will be participating in taekwondo, weight lifting, boxing, table tennis, tennis, badminton, judo, scrabble among others.