Hon. Ayoola To Host 128-Team Tournament To Test Run New Maracana Stadium In Ajegunle

The Nathaniel Idowu Foundation has taken a giant stride to upgrade the popular Ajegunle sports centre formally known as Maracana Stadium to a world class sporting arena.

The sports complex which is situated within the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State has been completely transformed by the foundation with eight medium and ten mini astro turf football pitches.

The first of its kind sports facility in Nigeria also have standard eleven aside pitch which is under construction and expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Executive chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA, Fatai Adekunle Ayoola stated that the local council is planning big for youth football development in the area while confirming a tournament to test run the facilities on Saturday, May 7.

Hon. Ayoola revealed that the one-day football event will feature 128 teams that will compete in various age categories for boys and girls including the Under 13 football tournament for invited teams from the football associations in the South West states.

The Chairman said the facilities when completed will be opened for use, but noted that there are rules and regulations that must be followed by interested schools, football teams, individuals and sports events organizers.

Ajegunle is known for being a hub of talents in sports and entertainment,

The chairman further explained that the facilities will aid the growth of sports in Lagos and enhance football development in Nigeria.

The newly refurbished Maracana Stadium has hostels, media centre, conference room, four dressing rooms, indoor sports hall and clinic centre.

Ayoola explained that security at the area is well thought out right from the entry to exit.

He also revealed that the foundation is working round the clock to install CCTV camera around the sporting arena as part of security measure to checkmate fans’ activities during or after the game.

For the tournament, participating teams will be pulled into five categories for boys with at least 32 teams each. The girls teams will also be included with eight teams in each categories. Two teams will represent each states from the South West in the 12 teams invitational competitions for the under 13s.

The Nathaniel Idowu Foundation is headed by Yemi Idowu who is one of the biggest stakeholders in Nigeria Sports and a philanthropist who has continued to make huge impact on human capital development, even beyond the country.