Stakeholders appeal to govt to build standard sport facilities in Oshodi-Isolo

By Saheed Afolabi

Sport stakeholders in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area (LGA) have appealed to the Lagos State Government to build standard sport centres in the local government area while urging the local governments to renovate the existing ones which have been neglected.

According to them, the grassroots is the moulding stage for any athlete before they are known at the higher level, stating that lack of standard sport facilities may hinder the growth of athletes at the grassroots.

Speaking with ECHONEWS, the coach of Ms Success FC, Musbahu Oseni, said the few sport centres in Oshodi-Isolo are not standard to accommodate all kinds of sports and athletes.

He said: “We have few sport centers in Oshodi-Isolo which are in bad shape due to being neglected. Lack of standard sport facilities is really affecting the development of athletes at the grassroots. As the state government is renovating the national stadium, we will be glad if the same can be extended to the grassroots to build more World class facilities because before you can become a great athlete, you have to pass through the grassroots.”

Christopher Ogar popularly known as Obeleze said if he has the opportunity to meet the governor of Lagos State, he would appeal to him to develop the sport centres at the grassroots across the state by providing artificial turf to improve the playing style of footballers.

He said the artificial playing turfs would help the players to adapt to standard playing turfs and make them grow quickly in the game especially when they have the opportunity of going to Europe.

He said however, the players are bound to commit errors when they move abroad if they continue playing on sandy pitch with no sight of green grass as they find it difficult to adapt to their new environment.

Yemi Fortune said the State government needs to come to the rescue of the grassroots and provide more standard sport facilities to engage the youths.