The Lagos State Sports Commission on Wednesday said that it would continue to provide platforms that would encourage synergy between sports, tourism and entertainment through regular competitions for a holistic growth of the sector in the country.
The chairman of the commission, Mr Kweku Tandoh, said in Lagos that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration would give the sector its deserved priority.
According to him, the ongoing 9th International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) tournament scheduled for between Aug.7 and Aug.11 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium will serve as the beginning of synergy between sports tourism and entertainment.
Sports tourism refers to travel which involves either observing or participating in a sporting event while staying apart from the tourists’ usual environment. Sports tourism is a fast-growing sector of the global travel industry.
Tandoh said that the event would attract foreign athletes into the country and increase foreign exchange earnings.
“The economic benefit that will be enjoyed from this interaction is something that cannot be discountenanced because we have athletes from no less than 30 countries that will be participating in the event.
“We are accommodating our guests in some of the hotels in Surulere at present because we are having a high number of them.
“Businesses have sprung up around the stadium and around the hotels because of the ongoing sporting activity.
“This will also have a positive impact on our local transportation.
“So, commercial activities will thrive during the duration of the competition,” he said.
Tandoh said that the competition would also serve as another opportunity for capacity building of the local staff about organising events.
“The local staff also will get used to how to relate and work with representatives of international organisations during such events,” he said.
The chairman said that the competition would also provide a platform for discovering young talents that can be nurtured for other major competitions.
“This will help build up their confidence when playing against international players,” he said.
Also, Mr Wahid Oshodi, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Nigeria Open ITTF, said that Lagos State had become the heart of sports tourism in the country.
Oshodi said that this was because of the state being the home of hospitality and entertainment.
