- Supports concession of Lagos Stadium
- By Taofeek Babalola
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has revealed that the Federal Government would consider the concession of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos if they could no longer maintain the edifice.
Enoh stated this in Lagos yesterday during his inspection tour of the stadium to assess the state of facilities in the stadium.
Addressing the journalists, the minister said the government will not allow the edifice to rot away, adding that he is 100 percent in support of concession of the stadium.
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“Sports infrastructure, in spite of how degenerated they have become, we need to look at that, we need to look at developing more and the key is managing them. When I spoke, I talked about the present concession arrangement that is going on -it is not concluded- for the National Stadium Surulere. I endorsed it 100 per cent. That means, if we find out that government cannot fund and cannot maintain it, we will look for a quick solution that works for Nigerians. We cannot just leave the facilities there to be sunk away. We are going to make sure that we take every step to make the facilities functional and make it the way it supposed to be,” the minister said.
The minister added that the ministry would focus its attention on building more sustainable and functional structures for the grassroots development.
“Again, we will shift our attention to developing what we can develop. These developments don’t have to be as gigantic as MKO Abiola Stadium or National Stadium Surulere. We are going to be interested in functional facilities that can be used and be managed. These are kind of facilities that can help us in the grassroots development. Getting functional facilities would go a long way to help us,” he added.
Similarly, the minister revealed President Bola Tinubu passion and commitment for sports development.
“President Tinubu insisted that I must be the Minister of Sports Development and I know is for a purpose. I am very optimism that I will get lots of support from Tinubu,” he said.
He thanked private partners like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Kessington Adebutu for their contributions towards sports development in the country.
“The country is indebted to Aliko Dangote and Chief Kessington Adebutu for what they done in renovating the MKO Stadium Abuja and National Stadium, Lagos,” he added.
The minister also used the occasion to unveil his agenda two-point agenda which include; Development of Sports (grassroots, infrastructures and Sports management) and Sports for development.
The minister was conducted round the stadium by Director of Facilities and Stadium Management at the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Engr. Alalamu Abolore.
Enoh visited the National Institute of Sports, the boxing complex, the main bowl of the stadium, the sports medical centre, the indoor sports hall and other facilities.
He also inspected the Games Village hostels, Legacy Pitch, and Power House, as well as the courts for different sports.
Also in the minister entourage include former international Daniel Amokachi and members of ministries of Sports.