The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has resumed work on the rehabilitation of the main pitch of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan.
A statement from the ministry on Friday said the rehabilitation is aimed at resuscitating the stadium which is also known as Liberty Stadium.
The facility, which was once rated amongst the best in Africa, has suffered years of abandonment and is now undergoing rehabilitation under the adopted initiative of the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare.
Dare, upon assumption of office has stated that his administration will extend its focus to revamping major sporting facilities around the country.
According to the Ministry, the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium is now the fourth stadium to get a face-lift after the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Daura Township Stadium, Katsina and the National Stadium, Surulere.
The Minister said, “Infrastructure is key in sports growth and development. I had a clear vision when I assumed office to rehabilitate some of these facilities. The welfare of athletes has also remained a top priority for me, thus we introduced the Adopt-an-Athlete and Adopt-a-Pitch initiatives.”
Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja has gone on to host every Nigerian national team at all cadres, both male and female, while also hosting national and international club football games.
The Daura Township stadium is also serving the people of Katsina state and beyond, while the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, is having its tracks laid after the pitch was revived and a new electronic scoreboard installed.