The Founders of Nathaniel Idowun Foundation, Yemi Idowu has expressed joy that the Maracana stadium located at Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos has turned to a world-class facility as over 3000 youngsters across the South West states dazzled at the one-day football fiesta held at the stadium.
The foundation has completed eight medium and 10 mini Astro turf football pitches at the Maracana Stadium, while work is ongoing on the main football pitch.Although the newly built maracana stadium is yet to be commissioned but recently the maracana stadium hosted more than 3000 kids to engage in one day football fiesta.
Speaking at the one day football fiesta, Idowu said he was delighted that the stadium has upgraded to the world class sport centre and commended Lagos State government and Ajeromi Local council for their support on the successful completion of the newly refurbished stadium.
“This is a laudable project and I am delighted that the sports centre hosted its first event which was a huge success.I thank the state government and Ajeromi local council for their support from the beginning to this stage,” he said.
Also the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lauded the efforts of the Nathaniel Idowu Foundation chaired by Yemi Idowu for the massive transformation of the popular Maracana Stadium in Ajegunle to a world-class facility
NFF Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi described the gesture by the foundation as commendable while hoping that the completion of the facilities would help to unearth more talents for Lagos.
“Indeed it is a fantastic initiative. The sheer number of children playing football on various pitches simultaneously was a delight to witness,” he said.
“This project epitomizes the concept of ‘The Business of Football’ and how crucial infrastructure is in football development. This is truly evidence of the importance of the private sector in grassroots football development. There are a few more of this coming up in Lagos soon,” he added.
Maracana Stadium located at Tolu Complex in Ajegunle, Lagos received a massive facelift by the foundation with 10 five-a-sides, eight seven-a-side pitches as well as a standard football which was put to test by U-13 players from the South West teams at the weekend.
For Idowu, the gesture by the foundation is in line with its ideals of supporting education, health, and sports. “We are supporting education, health, and sports through selected institutions and not individuals. We are building capacity building by working with the Lagos State Football Association, the local government and the state government because the structure is there. So when we put in money, this is the kind of outcome expected.
“We did not do this alone. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu took personal interest and removed all bottlenecks. It was a campaign promise for him. He quietly monitored the progress and was always asking what we needed, so we are very grateful to him. Everything was fast-tracked and that’s why we are here,” Idowu recalled at the weekend.
He also admitted the support given to the foundation to actualize the project.
“The Lagos FA gave us the technical support throughout and of course the Ajeromi Ifelodun local government through the chairman as well.
“The money, of course, we invested and we got the maximum output out of that money because if it had gone another way, we would have spent three times or four times more. I think in terms of value for money and capacity, we have really done well here,” he added.
Upon completion, the facilities would boast of 10 five-a-side pitches, eight seven-a-side pitches, one international size pitch, 50-metre Olympic size pool, one diving pool, a table tennis hall, basketball courts, tennis courts, gym, boxing and mixed martial gym, medical centre as well as an office complex.
