Viral video : Lagos sports commission moves to protect young athletes dream

By Adebola Muili

The Lagos State Sports Commission has intervened in the case of a young squash player who was reportedly prevented from participating in a crucial sporting engagement, following a viral video by her mother protesting the alleged obstruction.

The athlete, Tanimola Mariam Oshodi, represents Lagos in squash and competes in the Under-15 category. She reportedly encountered the obstacle involving personnel of the Surulere Local Government, prompting her mother, Abike Oshodi, to raise the matter in a video that subsequently attracted widespread attention on social media.

Following the development, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr Lekan Fatodu, on Wednesday met with Mrs Oshodi and her daughter to hear their account and understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.

During the meeting, the mother appreciated the Sports Commission for its support for her daughter and other young athletes, but called for stronger collaboration between the Commission and other government institutions to ensure that administrative or bureaucratic issues do not frustrate the aspirations of emerging talents.

She also urged the Commission to sensitise government institutions across the state on the importance of supporting young athletes, particularly girls pursuing careers in sports.

Responding to the concerns, Fatodu assured the family that the Commission would engage the government entity involved and take steps to prevent a recurrence.

He said the Commission would also strengthen its systems for dealing with similar situations by developing a policy framework to address circumstances capable of disrupting athletes’ participation in competitions.

According to him, the measures would include improved communication channels between the Commission, athletes and their parents, faster mechanisms for resolving urgent concerns and greater awareness among government ministries, departments and agencies on the need to protect emerging sporting talents.

Fatodu said every government institution had a responsibility to ensure that promising athletes were given the opportunity to develop and represent Lagos without unnecessary barriers.

He said any action capable of frustrating the discovery and development of young talents would undermine the state’s investment in sports and youth empowerment.

“The dream of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is to see young talents being discovered in Lagos and nurtured to full potential.

“So, any action by anyone or an entity that seeks to negate that lofty ambition for youth empowerment through sports will be a massive disservice to efforts on talent development,” Fatodu said.

The intervention comes as Lagos intensifies its grassroots sports development efforts, with the state preparing to host the maiden National Intermediate Games, EKO 2026, from October 1 to 15.

The Games are expected to provide a platform for talent identification, monitoring and development, while strengthening the connection between school sports, grassroots participation and elite competition.

The Commission said its engagement with the Oshodi family was aimed at better understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensuring that appropriate steps were taken to support the young athlete.