While medals remain the ultimate prize at any competition, Lagos State is making a strong statement at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, in Abeokuta, by investing in youth development.

In the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay, Lagos fielded a teenage team of secondary school students—Daniella Akanbi, Olutise Nedd, Nesomagh Nwizu, and Funmilayo Demehin—who competed against older, more experienced swimmers and clocked a time of 11:26.28.

Their performance drew admiration from spectators and officials, symbolising the state’s commitment to long-term talent development.

Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, praised the young swimmers, saying, “We are not just here to win medals; we’re here to build champions. By giving these athletes a platform now, we’re planting seeds that will flourish in years to come.”

He added that Lagos remains focused on nurturing talent across all sports, with a structured system to provide early exposure and technical development.

In volleyball, Lagos coach Taiwo Oladipupo led his team to a dominant win over Nasarawa. He said the team corrected previous errors and maintained tactical discipline, resulting in a straight-sets victory over Kaduna.

In basketball, Lagos edged past Oyo 55–46 at the Alake Sports Centre, while the male handball team defeated Osun 29–18, following a narrow win over Sokoto in their opening game.

With its blend of youth development and competitive success, Lagos continues to lead as a hub for sports excellence in Nigeria.