Ogbemudia stadium ready for FIFA inspection team tomorrow, says Edo official

By Harry Awurumibe

One proposed center which the visiting five-man inspection team from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) will fall in love at first sight tomorrow when they hit Benin City, Edo state is the newly refurbished Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.

An Edo State Sports Council official who pleaded anonymity has revealed that the stadium is ready to host football tournament as all the facilities and equipment required at a modern stadium have been provided at Samuel Ogbenudia stadium.

According to our source the arena is in top shape as the main bowl is looking lush green, the electronic scoreboard and floodlights are already in place while the plastic seats have been fixed.

It was also gathered that the stadium can now boast of four dressing rooms for local and international matches while the water and air-conditioning systems are working at the optimal level.

Our source however disclosed that only minor finishing touches are required to complete the renovation work which the government of Governor Godwin Obaseki embarked upon in just over one year now with the excavation of the old synthetic playing pitch and relaying of a grass surface.

The inspection team began its work in Lagos yesterday with visits to the Onikan Stadium (match venue), St. Nicholas Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (referral hospitals), Teslim Balogun Stadium, National Stadium Legacy Pitch, Eagle Club, Campos Square and the University of Lagos Sports Centre (training sites), before paying a courtesy call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Government House in Alausa.

Joined by NFF President Pinnick, General Secretary Sanusi, Alh. Mainasara Illo (Coordinator of the Bid), Falode, Commissioner of Police Garba Baba (security) and Dr. Paul Onyeudo (medical), the team will fly to Benin City same day to inspect facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium (match venue), Western Boys College and University of Benin Sports Centre (training sites) and the Edo Specialist Hospital and University of Benin Teaching Hospital (referral hospitals).