By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 22, 2025

Newly redeployed Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association, Yusuf Akolade Lawal, has vowed to lead Team Lagos to victory in the 2025 National Sports Festival Zonal Elimination, building on his past successes in boxing, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Lawal, who takes on his new role following a strategic redeployment exercise by the Lagos State Sports Commission, expressed confidence in the state’s ability to excel at the upcoming zonal qualifiers scheduled for February 23 to 28.

“I am honoured to serve as the Secretary of the Lagos State Football Association and will bring the same winning approach that delivered an unprecedented four gold medals for Team Lagos in boxing at the National Youth Games 2024 to football,” Lawal stated.

“Team Lagos is not just going there to participate; we are competing to win at the National Sports Festival. Our athletes are well-prepared, and with the support from the Lagos State Sports Commission and other stakeholders, we will make Lagos proud.”

Lawal’s appointment comes after his successful tenure as the Secretary of the Lagos State Boxing Association, where his leadership was instrumental in Team Lagos’ historic four-gold-medal haul at the 2024 National Youth Games.

His work in boxing also resulted in the donation of a multimillion-naira boxing gym by Yucateco Boxing Promotions to the Lagos State Sports Commission.

The redeployment was part of a broader exercise initiated on February 10, which saw 55 Sports Officers reassigned across various sporting disciplines. This initiative, backed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aligns with the Lagos State Government THEMES+ development framework.

Lagos State Sports Commission Director General, Lekan Fatodu, expressed confidence in Lawal’s capabilities and the team’s readiness.

“Yusuf Lawal has proven himself a dedicated and results-driven sports officer. His transition to football is part of the Commission’s development-oriented effort to replicate success across multiple disciplines,” Fatodu said.

In the South-West zone, Lagos will compete against Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti across eight team sports, including football, basketball, hockey, cricket, handball, volleyball, abula, and beach volleyball.

The zonal qualifiers serve as the pathway to the 22nd National Sports Festival, scheduled for May 16–30, 2025, where Team Lagos aims to maintain the state’s reputation as a powerhouse in Nigerian sports.

Source Punch Ng

Posted February 22, 2025

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