Lagos to Begin Transformation of Maracana Stadium to Multi-purpose Centre

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said that plans are on to transform the popular Maracana Football Stadium in Ajegunle to a world-class multi-purpose sports complex, that would help teeming youths harness their natural talents in a positive way.

The governor made the assurance after visiting the stadium on Thursday evening, said work would commence soon.

Ambode, who spoke to scores of residents, said though his administration had planned to embark on the transformation of the arena before now, the design was now ready while the contractor was set to move to the site.

“The last time I came here, I promised that I was going to do something in this arena. I am not happy that after three years of my administration, the reconstruction of the Maracana Stadium is yet to commence.

“However, the design is ready, the contractor is here, and they will start the work and as you have also promised to cooperate. If you go to Onikan Stadium, you would see that we are rebuilding it to a worldclass standard, by January it would be completed. The same contractor working on Onikan Stadium is the same that would handle the Maracana Stadium,” he said.

The Governor, who was also received by the dancehall music artiste, Daddy Showkey, also promised that aside from the standard football pitch, the new complex would have a volleyball court, tennis court, swimming pool, track and field area, events centre and facilities for other sports and recreational activities.

He said the contractor had also been given the mandate to address the challenge of flooding, which was posing a serious challenge for children going to school due to the waterlogged area.

“I have also told the contractor that because of the children in this area, there would be an event centre here so that social activities can also hold here. All the schools around here, we know that there is a challenge of flood disturbing them and we are not happy about it, so, the same contractor would do the whole drainage in this area and because of the road, we would do a jetty behind so that we can use the ferry to bring athletes and sports people to this place.

Ambode, however, appealed to residents to cooperate with the state government on the plans to transform the area, adding that when the facility is in place and handed over to them, they must go all out to protect it from vandalism.

Earlier, giving an insight to the plan of work for the Maracana football ground, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya, said the new multi-purpose sports complex would accommodate all kinds of sports, including an administrative building, and a bus terminal to bring athletes to and fro the complex.