The newly remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan has been described as one of the best in the country, fit to host both national and international sporting events.
Mr. Femi James, the Project Manager, Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, who disclosed this on Tuesday, in Ibadan, added that the 10,000 capacity stadium, that is 95 percent completed, would be inaugurated on Sept. 1 by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
“It is 10,000 capacity. Originally, we met about 8,900 which we have increased to 10,000 to meet the international standards.
“Right now, this is one of the best stadia in the country and it is fit to host any national and international matches,” he said.
A novelty match between Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan and NK Tabor Sezana, a Slovenian football club, has been slated to highlight the inauguration of the stadium.
James said that at the inception of construction work at the stadium it had no roof or tartan track, while the scoreboard and floodlights were not functioning.
“As we talk, there is a roof over the spectators stand, four modern floodlights and the scoreboard is working. The dressing room was two, now we have four standard dressing rooms.
“The tartan track I am standing on now is of Olympic standard. The pitch ahead of me here is natural grass.
“The new building is a composite that houses a gymnasium, wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing rings. It is a brand new structure that is also at about 90 percent completion,” he said.
James said that there was no generating set when the remodeling work commenced at the stadia, saying that two brand new 500KVA generating sets had now been installed.
“It is going to generate lots of income for the state through ticketing, rent, and hospitality. It will also engage unemployed youths in the state.
“This place has been linked to the public water line which is running fine. We have sunk about three boreholes. We expect that services will run smoothly and the pitch would be properly watered.
“We intend to maintain this place for about one year during which we would have shown the council or management what they need to attend to”, James added.
He also said that there were other projects ongoing outside the main bowl of the stadium, while some are almost completed.
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Hon. Olugbenga Adewusi, the Chairman of, Oyo State Sports Council, said the project had started attracting corporate bodies in the state.
“Let me just tell you confidently, from about three days ago, some corporate bodies have been coming to brand their products here.
“The governor has discussed with the contractor to teach us how to maintain it for a year, after which we will employ people to do what we have been taught,” he said.
Adewusi assured the people of adequate security at the stadium, after its completion and inauguration.
