Fresh hope has emerged about the reopening of two major stadiums in Lagos State, construction of Agege Stadium and two others, as an aide of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says work has reached advanced stages on five sports grounds across the metropolis, sports247.ng reports.
This assurance was provided by Sanwo-Olu’s senior special assistant on sports, Honourable Damilare Orimoloye, who stressed that, in contrast with recent widespread reports, Agege Stadium has not been abandoned.
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While also disclosing that Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere will soon be reopened, Orimoloye added that work has already reached conclusive stages at similar arenas in Ifako-Ijaye, Igbogbo and Gbadada.
Orimoloye further disclosed, “Agege has not been abandoned. The state of things is that we want to do all; but it is obvious that we have to do them one after the other, and we will soon get on it. With Agege, if you are to visit there now, you will see that it’s just a matter of laying the turf.
“The reason why we closed Agege Stadium was to reconstruct the drainages, and that has been done. It’s remaining laying the turf and other little infrastructure. The indoor and outdoor sections are also being fixed. So, you can be sure about it.”
Orimoloye then served details about the other grounds that are being worked on earnestly by the state government, with a promise that they will all meet standards postulated by Confederation of African Football (CAF), and he provided photographs to back up his assertions.
The governor’s soft-spoken sports aide continued, “When it comes to Igbogbo, you can see a picture of it that it is ready to be used. But, we want to ensure that what we have for the indoor section in those facilities and all items there are up to the standard that is required by CAF. That’s what we are putting in place.
“We also want to ensure we have outdoor courts and all that for Ifako-Ijaye, Igbogbo and Gbagada. That’s why they will soon be ready for use and commissioned.”
He then turned the focus on Teslim Balogun Stadium, which has been left derelict for almost three years, but Orimoloye stressed further that the once glamorous arena in the heart of Surulere will also soon be reopened.
The very articulate sports guru, who is also a member of Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), pointed out, “This is a picture showing a contractor on site at Teslim Balogun Stadium.
“This shows our action plan, according to which we are really getting up and doing. We are not relaxing on our promises to ensure that we have stadia for quality matches. There is Ifako-Ijaye, there is Igbogbo, Gbagada and Teslim ongoing.
“So, in the next two, three months, Igbogbo, Ifako-Ijaye and Gbagada should be commissioned. Those are the pictures.”
Orimoloye concluded with reassurances that all areas of need in terms of sports infrastructure are being pursued by the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu and expressed optimism that activities will expand in earnest once the five edifices are declared open.
“It’s just the indoor and other fittings that are remaining. So, we can be sure that they will all soon be opened. Once they are opened, it’s not for me alone to use, but for the public domain. So, we are doing all that,” Orimoloye asserted.
