The Lagos State Government is to build five new stadia in the different divisions of the state in its quest to promote excellence in sports and market the state through sports tourism.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, made the assertion in Lagos while unveiling Lagos as the Host City, Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2016.
Ayorinde said that the five stadia were already captured in the state’s 2017 budget proposal.
He said that Lagos as the Centre of Excellence had been number one in sports and entertainment and believed in using sports to sell the mega city.
Ayorinde said that the government was sponsoring the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, holding from Dec. 13 to Dec. 18 at the Eko Atlantic, because it believed in showcasing not just sports but its tourism potential.
He noted that two major components had been built into the hosting — sports and tourism, arts and entertainment — to achieve the state’s quest to make Lagos the sports hub in Africa.
Ayorinde said that the government had partnered with countries that excel in sports and many organisations to promote a culture of sports.
“As you can see, FC Barcelona Youth Academy had started in Lagos because Barca has an ally in the state.
“The state government has planned a package for the Yuletide which will commence immediately the competition ended with the first ever Lagos City Carnival.
“It will also organise the Lagos State fiesta which will hold simultaneously in Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island divisions, ending on Dec. 31.
“This year’s events have been well planned to ensure that people relaxed and enjoyed themselves during the Christmas and New year festivities under tight security,’’ he said.
The Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, said that Lagos was hosting because it wanted to showcase the excellence of Lagos through sports.
