Minister of Sport Development John Owan Enoh has hinted about the possibility of pulling down the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos if the planned concession would not yield the objective of breathing life into the nearly moribund edifice.
Built over 50 years ago and last used in almost two decades, the once national monument has been undergoing renovation courtesy of a private-government partnership that saw Chief Adebutu Kessington fixing the tartan tracks, the soccer pitch, and the scoreboard even as the government mulled over the possible concession of the facility for its proper management.
Senator Enoh had on Thursday stated after an inspection tour of the facilities at the stadium, said he would wholeheartedly support its concession for optimum usage.
But speaking at a media and stakeholder engagement in Lagos on Friday, Enoh said there was a need to give a second thought to the planned concession in the overall interest of the country, insisting that the right decision will be made.
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“Of course, I said on Thursday that I would support the concession of the National Stadium in Lagos but after discussion thereafter, I also think about the possibility of bringing down the stadium because the creative industry has benefitted from such arrangements with the National Arts Theatre in Lagos,” he said.“ So, we are going to have further discussion about the issue of the concession.”
He promised to operate an open door policy and carry every federation along to ensure the overall development of all sports, adding both the male and female as well the physically challenged athletes would be given equal attention.
“ We would not compromise with the welfare of the athletes and since there is calendar programme for each sports events even up to two years ahead, we would ensure proper funding as well as training ahead of competitions,” he promised.“ Without the athletes, there is no sports development.
“ I was told by our athletes who came back from Budapest that both Ghana and Jamaica spent days and months before the World Championships in camp whereas our own athletes did not even have a place to train in our own country.”
He added the National Sports Industry Policy bill awaiting consent of the president would serve as a template in ensuring that things are done in the best way possible even as he thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the singular honour of heading the Sports Development Ministry ‘because he knows that I can offer leadership and competence.’