The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos State School Sports Intervention Programme (LASSIP), which aims to reintroduce sports into school curriculum.
The Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu, stated at the official launch of the initiative held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, that LASSIP, conceived two years ago, is another of Governor Babajide Sanwo-unprecedented Olu’s investments in youth development designed to provide more options and opportunities for students to excel in sports and academics.
He said that the current administration’s initiative, launched through the Lagos State Sports Commission in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education, would deepen the commitment to promoting and changing school sports.
The Commissioner emphasised the program’s significance to the Greater Lagos vision, stating that LASSIP will provide an opportunity for schools to groom students who will excel in sports and education, noting that the programme will be held in batches for over 400 Games Masters and Physical Education Teachers.
Furthermore, Sola Aiyepeku, Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, stated that LASSIP’s comprehensive objective involves using sports to promote physical fitness and wellness, alternative career routes for young people, and a sustainable pipeline of talent identification and development.
The LSSC boss went on to say that the Statewide training programme will reach its full potential through the training of over 400 sports masters and physical education teachers across Lagos as a first step in the deployment of the LASSIP, thanks to a partnership with the Ministry of Education and collaboration from the six education districts.
“We are also planning to educate the parents so that they can allow the children to participate in Sports and the Career paths that exist in it”, Aiyepeku added.
Mrs. Titilayo Solarin, Permanent Secretary, Education District I, praised the LSSC for collaborating closely with the Education Districts since the administration’s beginning, as well as the LASSIP programme.
Solarin also praised the current administration’s efforts, through the LSSC, to train Games Masters/Mistresses and Physical Education Teachers in order to contribute effectively to the development of school sports in Lagos State.