‘Protracted issues’ on grass upgrade stall renovation work at Teslim Balogun Stadium

Renovation works at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, have been stalled by unresolved issues over the upgrade of the grass pitch, officials of the Lagos State Sports Commission have explained.

The stadium was closed to public use in 2021 to allow for a comprehensive re-modelling of some of the structures as stipulated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which gave specific corrections to be made on the structure.

The renovation was supposed to have been completed in the first quarter of the year, but work stopped on the project due to “issues bordering on the grass surface.”

Speaking on the delay in the completion of the work, Lagos State Sports Commission’s (LSSC) Director General, Lekan Fatodu, said that the state embarked on the project when “CAF stipulated that significant improvements are necessary before the Super Eagles can resume playing home games here.”

He said that the renovation aims to cover all spectator stands and upgrade the football pitch. He said, however, that the job has stalled since February 2024, “primarily due to unresolved issues concerning the grass upgrade. Once this final aspect is addressed, the stadium will be revitalisedto become suitable for hosting important matches.”

Fatodu failed to disclose the total cost of the renovation, saying that that would only be known at the project’s completion, adding, “with updates on the total expenses expected to be shared once the stadium is fully operational.”

He affirmed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to providing the needed support for the actualisation of the project, adding: “We shall continue to build on the mandate that the governor has given us. We want to re-enact the good old days of football in Lagos State.”

The LSSC boss