Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has, on Wednesday commissioned the remodeled Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, the state capital.
The ceremony, which held amidst pump and ceremony, had in attendance a former military administrator of the state, David Jemibenwon, during whose administration the stadium was originally built, and a former Head Coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.
Other dignitaries at the commissioning include former Vice President, Atiku Abubarkar; governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo State) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo state); former governors Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo), Adebayo-Alao Akala (Oyo)and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun).
The event, which kicked off with a novelty match between the 1994 Super Eagles team and that of 1996, featuring Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Tarbolton West and Ike Sorunmu, among others, was followed by another 90-minute novelty match between the 3SC of Ibadan and a Slovenian club side, Tabor Sezana, which ended in 4-1, in favour of the home team.
The matches were played under the flood light and watched by the dignitaries, top government functionaries and sport lovers, among others.
In their various remarks, the dignitaries harped on the importance of sport in engaging the youths meaningfully while also generating income for the people and communities and commended Governor Makinde for the effort, assuring that it would serve as a useful tool of gainful engagement of the youths.
In a short media chat, Makinde explained that his administration refused to allow covid-19 slow it down, revealing that the contract for the remodeling was awarded one year ago.
The project included the remodeling of the main bowl; construction of a state-of-the-art media centre and a FIFA-standard studio with equipment; construction of FIFA-standard mixed zone including changing rooms, wet rooms, match officials’ rooms, referees’ rooms, doping control room, youth centre/ball boys’ room, clinic and others.
The new Lekan Salami Stadium is completed with modern floodlights, a remodeled Squash Hall, a new 50 metre by 30 metre multipurpose hall for Basketball, Volleyball, Handball and gymnasium, as well as a Centre Court.
Dominica Nwabufo
