Dalung Laments Poor State Of Lagos National Stadium
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, during an inspection tour of the National Stadium Lagos, on Monday, expressed dissatisfaction over the poor state of the nation’s sporting facilities.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the main bowl, swimming pool, Tennis court, and National Institute for Sports at the National Stadium in Lagos, Dalung expressed shock at the level of decay and rot of the facilities, adding that they have long been abandoned without proper maintenance and regular sporting events.
He however promised to renovate and revive the Stadium back to its original state, but insisted he would have to study reports available to him before any action is taken on the renovation of the stadium.
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Dalung said: “The Main Bowl of the National Stadium and other facilities here are in a bad state. I think the last time the football pitch hosted a major match was almost 20 years ago.
“I’ve gone round and seen facilities, they are not in good condition.
“I know that the work going on is a political gimmick because the Minister is coming for inspection. Once the minister goes the work stops.
“I am interested in the projects and facilities and I am going to beam my searchlight on the contractors once funds are provided.
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“If I stay longer as a sports minister, I want to assure Nigerians that I will be able to put things in proper shape.”
In addition, the Sports Minsiter promised that the 1985 and 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets and other teams, who made Nigeria proud in 2015, will be rewarded in the third week of January.
“Welfare of our athletes is very important to us and on this note I want to inform you that the 1985 Golden Eaglets will be honoured in the third week of the month, those athletes and teams that did the nation proud last year will also be honoured.
“A day will be approved to honour and reward them,” he said.
