Teslim Balogun, Agege, other stadiums ready in December

.Lagos Govt. promises adequate maintenance of facilities

By Taofeek Babalola 

Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere and eight other renovated stadiums across Lagos State will be completed in December, according to the contractor handling the project.

The Chairman and CEO of Peculia Ultimate Concerns Limited Engineer Lanre Adeleke gave the assurance yesterday during a media tour for the stadium work assessment.

The Lagos State Government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is doing a face-lift of nine stadiums across the state. Apart from Teslim Balogun stadium, other stadiums under refurbishment include Agege Stadium, Ifako, Ketu, Gbagada, Shomolu, Iganmu, Epe and Badagry Sports Centers.

Teslim Balogun Stadium has natural playing turf while Agege, Gbagada and other stadiums have artificial playing turf.

Speaking during the media tour of the facilities, Adeleke said the playing turf of Teslim Balogun Stadium will be playable in six weeks; With trenching of the pitch expected to take one week, filling with gravels and sharp sand will be done within one week while grow back (grass) will take four weeks to be completed.

Adeleke said Teslim Balogun stadium, when completed will be hosting Super Eagles matches.

“We were at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, where the issue of the drainage system has always been an issue. Fortunately, we were there during the rain and the pitch was super dry and the drainage system was working.

“What we have at Teslim Balogun stadium is world class, and what we have in other stadiums will also meet the highest of all standards. Teslim is natural grass where we pray would be the home of Super Eagles of Nigeria in time to come. The Super Eagles will have the kind of top experience they are having in Europe when they play at the newly renovated Teslim Balogun Stadium. The stadium will be completed this year.

“At Teslim, we are almost there, and Gbagada is 100% completed. So, we can have our matches at Teslim Balogun Stadium this year.”

Adeleke added that his company enjoyed a good collaboration with the DG Lagos State Sports Commission Mr Lekan Fatodu and his team which enabled them to have a seamless and a very conducive environment to work with.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director and Head of Public Affairs, Lagos State Sports Commission, Jamiu Hassan said the maintenance of the stadiums would be the topmost priority of his ministry and the state.

“In all the stadiums, we have designated officers of the commission that are stadium managers; their duty is to maintain the facilities. Human and financial resources are there in terms of maintenance. The Lagos State Government has invested so much in all these facilities, and we can’t afford to let it go down the drain. Our present Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is not for that. Human and financial resources are available,” Hassan said.

Hassan also expressed confidence that all stadiums will be ready to host the National Intermediate Games (EKO 2026) scheduled to take place next year in Lagos state.

“The time is enough to get all the facilities in top shape and ready for Intermediate Games next year. With the level of work in all the stadiums, I am confident that, between now and the first quarter of next, I can assure you that everything in terms of facilities would be in place to host the Intermediate Games. Lagos state is known for excellence, and we will give the nation the best of hosting.”

The tour afforded the media and sports stakeholders an opportunity to gain the first knowledge of the current state of the facilities.