John Enoh, the minister of sports, revealed on Thursday that he cried while touring the Surulere-based Lagos National Stadium.
Enoh, who was just chosen to succeed Sunday Dare two weeks ago, looked around the facilities that are still being renovated.
Over the past 20 years, the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere has deteriorated, and Dare began redeveloping it two years ago with the help of lottery billionaire Kessignton Adebutu.
The minister also paid visits to the main bowl of the Lagos National Stadium, the National Institute for Sports’ administrative building, the Brai Ayanote boxing gym, the indoor sports hall, the swimming pool, the Table Tennis Federation, the Squash Federation, the viewing centre and the stadium’s power generation facility.
“The overall feeling is that of disappointment whose potential can surpass that of other nations.
“We need to look for smart and quick solutions to revive the Lagos National Stadium as soon as possible.
“I am glad that the process towards the concession of the facility has gone far. If that is what it will take to restore the glory of this facility, I endorse it 100 percent.”
Enoh also added that the maintenance of the facilities is important, not to repeat the mistakes of the past that resulted in decadent infrastructure.
“We must be careful and make something happen quickly, so that the facilities we have working, don’t fall into the same sorry state of shame.”
The All Africa Games in 1973, the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 and 2000, as well as the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1999 were all held in the National Stadium in Surulere, which was erected in 1972 and served as the centre of Nigerian sports.
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