As part of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration commitment to fostering youth engagement and sports development, the Lagos state in collaboration with Yucateco Boxing Promotions commissioned the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Boxing Gymnasium at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
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Speaking at the unveiling, Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu said there is no better way to address youth empowerment and engagement than creating an alternative opportunity for them to channel their energy as sports been said to be a tool to empower youth towards self realization.
“Boxing in our community is a unique sport because we have a vibrant youth population been represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Honorable Mobolaji Ogunlende. With this facility, we can produce champions.
Speaking further, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende stated that the state can not capture all the youths at the same time.But our ability to capture them in groups makes it easier for us to be able to get them off the street. For the growth of youths who have found their interest in boxing.
This is a well set up structure for them to be able to burn out the energy, practice and prepare themselves to compete on a global scale.
“As a government we cannot do it alone which is why we continue to call for partnerships and one of those partnerships has produced this. Our plan is to be able to replicate this across the five divisions in the state.
If we are able to do this then we will be able to get those groups of youths under this catchment off the street into the boxing arena, channelling their energy, sportsmanship and abilities to compete on the global scale” he added.
Fatodu commended the donor and Chief Executive Officer, Yucateco Boxing Promotions, Imadu for the notable initiative which provides another opportunity for the young boxers in the state to continue to dominate and sharpening their skills in the sporting industry.
