“You Don’t Have the Power”: Lagos State Athletes Reply DG Sports Commission on Dissolution
- The Lagos State Government have reportedly sacked all the senior athletes representing the state in all sports
- This is coming on the heels of athletes protesting over their financial rewards from the 2020 and 2024 National Sports Festival
- Athletes have responded to the alleged sack statement from the office of the Lagos State Sports Commission
All is not well in the sporting sector of Lagos State following the news from the Sports Commission.
Lagos State Government claimed that some athletes assaulted the staff of the commission during a protest on Wednesday, September 17.
The protest is coming a few days after Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged to reward the U15 athletes for winning the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Source: Getty Images
Lagos State dissolves senior team
Lagos State Sports Commission have announced the dissolution of the Senior Team following their act of insubordination.
According to Sports Day, the Director General of LSSC, Lekan Fatodu, explained that some aggrieved senior athletes staged a protest at the State Secretariat in Alausa, which turned violent.
Fatodu claimed that the athletes were demanding their award money following their unimpressive performance during the 2020 and 2024 National Sports Festival.
He said the awards are not the entitlements of the athletes, adding that some of them are on monthly allowances and collecting welfare support. The DG LSSC said:
"It is disheartening that some individuals, including impostors parading themselves as spokespersons of the dissolved team, are attempting to mislead the public. The generosity of Mr. Governor towards Lagos athletes must never be taken for granted or abused.
“This decision was not taken lightly. It was informed by the underwhelming outcomes of the Senior Team Lagos at the National Sports Festival and the need to reposition Lagos sports for excellence."
Source: Twitter
Next move for Lagos Sports Commission
Lekan Fatodu said there are plans underway to inject the U15 athletes into the senior team.
Fatodu explained that the dissolved teams will pave the way for more discipline and dedicated athletes who will make the state proud. He said:
“We are committed to building a system that celebrates merit, hard work, and dedication. The dissolution of the team paves the way for new, talented athletes who are ready to give their best and make the state proud on the national stage.”
Lagos State finished seventh with 24 gold, 37 silver and 70 bronze with a total of 131 medals at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State, per Premium Times.
Athletes react
Opeoluwa Oduneye said:
"A true leader doesn’t behave like this just because ur subject demands for their right and their entitlement u called them impostor..oga DG you can do better than this."
Ibrahim AB wrote:
"Zero conscience.... make una sha dey remember 6 feet..... so sad."
Oyetola Ronke Olarinoye added:
"Uncle DG ,we dey kidigba, we dey wait for your law and your arrest, and today's protest is part one , if there's not solutions the part two go long, because we shall always fight for our right."
Smoochie Dickins said:
"For your mind you have junior athlete you can count on abi,? Someone need to remind you of your position, you're only a state sport director, you have not right to dissolve Lagos state athletes."
Ogun State athletes protest during NSF
Legit.ng earlier reported that athletes representing Ogun State staged a peaceful protest at Babcock University over the non-payment of their allowances.
The host athletes blocked access, preventing other state contingents from reaching their designated sports venues.
Source: Legit.ng
