LSSC CELEBRATES WORLD SPORTS DAY
The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), in collaboration with Carmel Academy, has joined others in the annual celebration of World Sports Day Challenge 2024 with the theme “Mental Health and Sports: The Nigerian Perspective”.
The event, which was celebrated via Zoom, was also used to provide a platform for the ‘Sports Global Ambassadors Virtual Challenge’ designed to elicit diverse discussions on the important role of sports in mental health, especially among youth.
In his remarks, the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), Lekan Fatodu stated that the Commission is committed to protecting the mental health of Athletes and will continue to fulfill promises made to all them, including Coaches, Staff and Sports Associations under the supervision of the LSSC, and will always be an advocate of their endeavour in Society.
Fatodu, represented by the Director of Facility, LSSC, Deji Aladegbemi, further stated that the social media is a platform to identify positive issues and ensure that innovative ideas come to pass by giving full support to the well-being of everyone within the sporting ecosystem.
The Director of School Sports, Oluyomi Oluwasanmi said this year’s theme will help in the reduction of depression, increase self-development and confidence as well as build leadership traits among peers.
She also noted that the role of sports in the overall mental well-being of an individual cannot be over-emphasised as it improves hormonal balance and concentration.
Oluwasanmi said: “This challenge aims to create awareness of the important role of sports in the mental health space, especially amongst our youths, and is open to those in secondary schools only”.
Leadership Director, Sports Global Ambassador, Ndidi Edeoghon, said this year’s theme is designed to challenge pupils of ages 11 to 18, who are residents in Lagos, stating further that winners will be picked and rewarded with the opportunity to attend a conference in the United Kingdom, Internship, Cinema Tickets, and more.
Maje Ayida, a Fitness/Wellness Coach and Consultant opined that the Challenge will provide a solution to linking mental health with Sports.
The challenge consist of four rounds: The firstt round involves the students to register from April 6 and are to provide a sustainable solution to mental health challenges in sports why imagining that they are the Head of a Sports Commission and submit a video recording of not more than two minutes, addressing the theme issues.