Lagos State House of Assembly has passed two bills that are meant to promote sporting activities and ensure an all inclusive sports growth and development in the State.
The two bills are: ‘The Lagos State Sports Commission bill’ and ‘The Lagos State Sport Trust Fund Bill’.
According to the Speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the sports trust fund law would provide interface between the government and the private sector towards the development and adequate funding for sports in the State.
“The Trust Fund is to raise money through private and public donations for the development of sporting activities and facilities in the State, it will be the depository of all monies and can raise money for the development of sports in the State through grants by the federal government, the State and Local as well as donations or contributions for individuals or corporate organisation.
Section 20 also allow the Trust Fund with approval of the board empowering its committees for the purpose pf generating funds to organise charity dances, shows, exhibitions and other fund raising event as it may deem fit .
While the second bill seeks the establishment of the Lagos State Sport Commission, allowing the Commission to administer sporting activities in the State. The establishment of the Commission would harness the potential of sports men and women in the State towards attaining excellence.
The Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Hon Adedamola Kasunmu, commended the Speaker of the House, Obasa and members of the House for the passage of the two bills.
According to him, the two bills are connected and would help to take sports to greater heights in the state, besides that sports administration would be detached from government.
Kasunmu further said that with the two bills, sports would be taken to the people at the grassroot including working with the Ministry of Education to develop school sports.
He said that while the Sports Commission would help to ensure proper management of sporting activities through regulation of policies in sports, the Sports Trust Fund would help to generate fund to develop sports in the state.
He further said that with the Trust Fund, the labour of sports heroes will not be forgotten as it would help to recognise and reward those who had contributed to sports development aside helping to identify and sponsor young and upcoming sports talents for development.
The bill which has been sent to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will become law immediately he signs them.
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