The Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu has stated that it is important for a state in terms of productivity and socio-economic progress to have healthy and active citizens.
Speaking at the press briefing heralding 9th edition of the Lagos Women Run, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Conference Room, Fatodu emphasised the significance of women in the society, who are versatile and proved their abilities and capabilities in different areas.
He said, “We are attracting women from different strata within the society. There’s no discrimination and we know that people are coming from different communities within the state from Ikorodu, Agege, Ikoyi, and Ajegunle to participate in an atmosphere of unity and opportunity. This initiative has helped identify the importance of women in our society with different diverse, versatile abilities and capacities in so many areas”.
The Director-General further noted that apart from the annual event, other competitions are also coming on in different communities that will stimulate the interests of the youths to take an active part in sporting disciplines.
The General Coordinator of Lagos Women Run, Ms. Tayo Popoola disclosed that over 80,000 runners have registered to participate in the 10km race, which begins at the iconic Tafawa Balewa square and terminates at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. She added that it’s more than just a run because there are going to be different kinds of empowerment programmes that will make the women self-reliant.
In her words, “Lagos Women Run is part of those teams that are building champions when it comes to road races and, at the same time, giving a platform for the runners to express themselves. In Nigeria, Lagos State is the city of road race, and the Elite Runners see the state as a training ground that prepares and conditions them ahead of other road races.
” Lagos Women’s Run is part of the team that gives women the platform and an atmosphere for celebrating people, fitness, well-being, and identifying talents. It also gives the veterans an avenue to showcase themselves. When a woman is happy, the Nation is happy”,
She further explained that the elite athletes have looked at LWR as a programme that they can use to prepare for their subsequent outings.
On his part, the Chairman of the Lagos State Athletics Association, Solomon Alao, highlighted that Lagos Women’s Run has been consistent as an initiative that’s geared towards providing solutions to societal challenges in one way or another and bringing it to the full view of everyone.
Lagos Women Run is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
