Minister for youth and sports, Solomon Dalung, during a facility tour of the National Stadium Lagos, expressed deep disappointment at the dilapidated state of the nation’s sporting facilities.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the Main Bowl, Swimming Pool, Tennis Court, and National Institute for Sports at the National Stadium on Monday, Dalung lamented that the facilities had long been abandoned without proper maintenance and regular sporting events.
“The Main Bowl of the National Stadium and other facilities here are in a bad state. I think the last time the football pitch hosted a major match was almost 20 years ago,” the minister said. “I’ve gone round and seen facilities, they are not in good condition.”
The minister however promised to bring the Surulere National Stadium back to its former state, but said that on his return to Abuja, he would study reports available to him before taking action on the renovation of the stadium.
The National Stadium has been abandoned since 2002. It last hosted a major tournament at National Team Games in 2004.
The minister also promised to improve drastically the state of sports in Nigeria if given the opportunity to complete his four years tenure in office.
When the stadium was built in 1972, it had a capacity of 55,000. The capacity was then reduced to 45,000 in 1999. The record attendance is 85,000 and was taken in the final match of the African Cup of Nations in 1980 between Nigeria and Algeria.
It hosted several international competitions including the 1980 African Cup of Nations final, the 2000 African Cup of Nations final, and FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. It also served as the main stadium for the 1973 All-Africa Games.
Anthony Nlebem
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