Grassroots Sports Development – Adopt-A-Talent.

Lagos State, has introduced a developmental programme tagged 'Adopt-A-Talent /Sport Programme’ aimed at Under-18 athletes who are resident in Lagos. The screening exercise, aimed at picking budding stars for the Programme commenced on 17th of June and ended on 20th June 2010 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.

It was put together by a committee headed by Prince Wale Oladunjoye, Senior Special Adviser on Grassroots Sports Development to Governor Raji Fashola.
The programme, according to the Senior Special Adviser to the governor on Grassroots development, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, will be an avenue to develop youngsters through private, personal and corporate sponsorship.

He said that: "As a responsive government, we are reviewing our strategies along these processes and fine tuning our pursuit with the initiative of Adopt-A-Talent/Sport Programme."

At least 350 athletes have been screened by the coaches and officials of the Lagos Adopt a Talent Programme, the coaches screened athletes in football, boxing and track and field.
Prince ‘Wale Oladunjoye, said that he was glad with the success of the screening and the display of the children, whose ages range from 6-16 years. He said with the road map in place for the Adopt a Talent Programme; he foresees no problem in achieving the target objective of the programme.

He noted that the coaches of various sports lined up for the programme have done a good job with the screening exercise.
The Media Officer of the programme, Mr. Segun Adenuga, disclosed that the target of the organizers is to spot exceptional gifted athletes and make a recommendation to Governor Fashola to assist them in their pursuit for excellence in their education and sporting career.

“There are a lot of incentives for these athletes, which in many ways will add value to their lives. And I must say that the screening is a continuous exercise, as another one will be coming up in the next two or three months,” said the veteran sports journalist.
It would be recalled that Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola approved a pilot study of the programme where sponsors are encouraged to adopt talents in their sports of choice.

Sponsors, depending on available funds, could adopt a single athlete, a team or multiple athletes, a sport or sporting event and a school/club or school sports.
The programme, which is all-year-round, is designed not only to develop these talents into elite athletes, but also build them into wholesome personalities, ambassadors for state and country, as well as role models for their peers and younger ones.

Sponsors will be encouraged to fund an athlete to the tune of one hundred and fifty thousand naira, while the Lagos State government will help in footing other bills such as coaching and others. The approved sports include Athletics (100m, 200m, 400m and 4x400mrelays), Soccer/Beach Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball/Beach Volleyball, Boxing and Table Tennis.

However, the roles of the following supporting agencies were pointed out by Oladunjoye. He said, the LG/LCDA Sports Committee will source for local sponsors, identify local training venues, and identify local coaches, game masters and volunteers.
He added that "Sponsors are expected to be responsible for individuals, associations and corporate bodies with known or proven positive track records in their field of endeavor and unblemished integrity.

The following areas have been approved as designated training centers and catchment venues.
They are Lagos Island, Mainland, Ikeja, Kosofe, Badagry, Festac and Alimosho.

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