Participants at the just concluded maiden Lagos Sports Summer Camp have described their experience in camp as a once in a lifetime that they would savour for sometimes to come.
The Summer Camp for pupils and student in Lagos schools was an initiative of the Director-General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Oluwatoyin Gafar, and was graciously approved by the sports-loving governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It was put together to introduce the chosen sports to students who have shown interest, for them to make use of the opportunity to become future stars not only for Lagos but also for Nigeria.
P.M. EXPRESS reports that no fewer than 120 students were camped for six days at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere where they were exposed to basics rudiments of sports such as Athletics, Table-tennis, Basketball, Taekwondo, Judo, Swimming, Squash and Volleyball. So also they were taken through entrepreneurial and vocational skills in tie and dye, tilling, makeup, interlocking and drama.
Handled by seasoned instructors and coaches of the Sports Commission, the students, many of whom have not engaged in any sporting activities before now, were seen at the closing ceremony of the camping exercise on Wednesday giving testimonies of how their lives have been transformed within a very short time while in the camp.
“I am so happy to be part of this lofty programme and I have to commend the organisers and indeed Governor Sanwo-Olu for this kind gesture to me and my other colleagues,” said Ladi-Idowu Moronfoluwa, a 14-year-old SS1 student of Babington Macauley Junior Secondary Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos. “This summer camp was an opportunity provider for me. I was able to learn a lot of things, mostly things I could not ordinarily think of knowing in my life and most especially, I was able to mix up with other kids who were here for the camping. I made new friends. I believe going forward, I will continue to practise all those things I have learn when I get back home and when the school session opens,” he said.
To Mustapha Mubarak, who schools at Oregun Senior High School, Alausa, Ikeja, the camp afforded him the opportunity to learn the basics of all the sports featured in the exercise. “I used to do athletics in the school, especially 100m, but at this summer camp, I was able to get myself involved in other sports, most especially table tennis which I can now conveniently play on a standard table. Before now, I could not handle a bat very well not to talk of playing it on the table. Thanks to our instructors here at the camp, I can go out there I play table tennis, I must confess, I cherish my new found sport. And I hope to become like Aruna Quadri in the future.
“I also played pool ball and table soccer. The camping was fun-filled, the accommodation and feeding were excellent. I feel as if this should not end. This is an experience I will never forget so easily,” Mubarak said.
Head Coach of Lagos State Basketball Association, Olayinka Oyewunmi described the kids as fast learners, adding that they were delights to teach.
“We taught them basics things in basketball such as dribbling, dribble jump stop, shooting and others. They responded very well and quickly. I think if we can be having this kind of camping regularly, Lagos state will be a grooming house for future champions in the country.
Scot Ikporo, Managing Partner for the Lagos Sports Summer Camp disclosed that the participants were choosing through registration on the website created for the purpose of the camping.
“The website was open to all Lagosians. After the registration, the successful ones were picked randomly from Lagos’ three senatorial districts. I think Lagos is doing the right to give these children a future in sports while still pursuing their academic career. The camping was all about talent discovery and I am happy to say that we have been able to unearth the hidden talents in these children both in sports and vocational skills.
P.M. EXPRESS reports that the parents of the children who were at the closing ceremony were also excited seeing their wards displaying their skills in various sports which hitherto had not been part of their life before coming to the summer camp.
