Edo State deputy governor, Honourable Philip Shaibu has disclosed that the state-owned Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubside, Bendel Insurance of Benin City will return to their ancestral home at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium sometime in April.
Although he did not declare a definite date for the team’s return to their original home ground in the Edo State capital, sports247.ng can report that Shaibu is optimistic that ongoing renovation of the arena will be completed before the end of next month.
He pointed out that the contractor in charge of the stadium’s project of rehabilitation and upliftment has already promised that the work will be completed in the middle of April, thereby creating hope that the squad would be able to return to their favourite slaughter slab soon.
Shaibu added that returning to Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium would be part of the initiatives to help The Benin Arsenal overcome their current struggles for good results, as the team has been toiling in their home fixtures at University of Benin Sports Complex.
Fresh fears over relegation were raised by another home draw recorded against Enyimba of Aba last weekend, by Shaibu enthuwsed that a blend of youth and experience that is currently in the squad will help them get over their ongoing woes and return to winning ways in the coming days.
Shaibu said the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki for sports development is to upgrade all infrastructure to attract private sector funding and improve the state’s economy.
On his part, the supervising project engineer, Abel Olanrewaju said the company in charge, Peculiar Ultimate Consult, will provide ultra-modern design and top-notch quality for the 15,000 capacity stadium.
Oalnrewaju added that it will be installed with a natural grass football pitch, standard waste water drains and expanded eight-track lane with 50 years warranty to meet Olympic Games standard.
