Teslim Balogun Stadium gets new facilities, including hospitality suite
The Lagos State government has added a new hospitality suite at Teslim Balogun Stadium. This came a few days after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rubbished a report, which claimed that Africa’s football governing body, CAF, had banned the stadium ‘for lacking some facilities needed to host international matches.’
Although the report was later discovered to be false, the Lagos State government has continued in efforts to turn the stadium into a world-class arena. Part of the efforts is the construction of a new hospitality suite, regrassing of the football pitch, construction of a new press conference hall and workstation for journalists in the stadium. The home and away dressing rooms have also been upgraded to international standard.
Speaking during a brief tour of the facility yesterday, Teslim Balogun Stadium Manager, Ibrahim Adisa, who reminded Nigerians that the stadium recently hosted two quality international games, said the facility has met every requirement stipulated by CAF before it can host grade A matches.
He added “There was no crisis during any match or serious breach of any sort. There was a letter received on October 17 where we were advised to make some adjustments to make the stadium better but some people with other motives exaggerated it to suit their own purposes”.
“The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is a man of high standards and those in charge of the Sports Commission too are technocrats who cannot fail in providing quality facilities.”
“We are focused and resolute because we are aware this stadium is not threatened. After receiving the letter so many adjustments have been made and we are sure of making the stadium better by the end of February.”
Adisa added that work was ongoing to provide “another scoreboard, make the stadium all covered and to provide six additional supporting cameras plus the four available.”
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He noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu has also been informed about the need to get a VAR facility available at the stadium.
“We have improved on the electrification of the Stadium as well, the things people are crying about does not stop us from hosting the Eagles versus Cape Verde game and the VAR equipment is a new issue coming from CAF,” he stressed.
Njidda Usa/The Guardian
