Press Releases

Nigeria 2009: Goodluck Impressed With Progress Of Work On Teslim Balogun Stadium

Dec 19, 2008 - Vice President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday inspected the facilities at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere as one of the venues for Nigeria’s hosting of the FIFA Under- 17 Championship in November 2009, saying “we are impressed with what is going on”.

Vice President Goodluck who spoke in an interview with newsmen after the inspection said though it is not himself or Nigeria that would decide on the hosting rights, he has no doubt that Nigeria will impress FIFA.

He added that Lagos being a mini Nigeria and considering the aggressive note at which work is progressing on the facilities at the stadium, everything looks quite impressive.

Also speaking, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said Lagos is ready and that work is in progress as everyone has observed during the tour.

Said he: “We are certain that we will meet the conditions and the deadline set by FIFA in readiness to host a truly remarkable championship which all Nigerians and Africans would be proud of”.

The Vice President and his team which included Sports Minister, Engineer John Ndanusa also held a meeting with members of the Lagos Sub seat of the Local Organizing Committee of Nigeria 2009 led by Mr Amanze Uchegbulam.

Vice President Goodluck watched a documentary on the state of preparedness of Lagos for the championship and was also shown samples of the Astro turf which the Government intends to lay for both the competition at Teslim Balogun and the training session at Campus Square.

Mr Uchegbulam said all the observations raised by the FIFA team led by Vice President Jack Warner when it last visited have been incorporated into the upgrade which the Teslim Balogun is currently undergoing.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of Nigeria 2009, Mr Mainassara Illo commended the Lagos State Governor for the passion which he has brought into the quest to upgrade facilities at the stadium for the hosting rights.

The Vice President and his team also inspected the facilities in the mobile hospital, the changing rooms, the referees rooms, the FIFA officials room as well as the playing turf which has been excavated in preparations for the laying of the Astro turf.

The Vice President was accompanied on the trip by the new Minister of Sports, Engineer John Ndanusa and other top ranking officials of the sports ministry.