A World Cup without the National Stadium

The National Stadium in Lagos was one of the major centres used for the U-20 World Cup, tagged "Nigeria ‘99", and even hosted the final match between Spain and Japan. Ten years later, however, the focus of attention seems to have shifted to the other side of the road, wherein is situated another stadium - the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The stadium was officially commissioned in 2007, and is currently serving as one of the match venues of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup. Though both stadia are located just within the same axis, the disparity that exists between them is too clear to ignore.

Changing fortunes

The National Stadium, which was built in 1973, was renowned for hosting major football competitions, a lot of which featured the senior national football team, the Super Eagles, and always played host to a mammoth crowd at every football event.

However, all of that is history as the former edifice is now run down and, at best, hosts the offices of a handful of federations and also serves as a training venue for athletes, with a lot of miscreants and touts using it as a haven for all sorts of activities.

A staff of the National Sports Commission, who pleaded anonymity, said the fortunes of the National Stadium declined with the construction of a new National Stadium in Abuja.

"The demise of the National Stadium began with the creation of the Abuja National Stadium for the All African Games in 2003.

After that, all attention was focused there; also the movement of some federations such as swimming, judo, hockey, volleyball, badminton and cycling made things worse. But the biggest blow was the movement of football, the ‘power house' to Abuja. What else will be left?"

Good old days

Ayoola Oridedi, who resides close to the Tesim Balogun Stadium, remembers the glorious days when football fans trooped out to watch matches at the National Stadium:

"I used to go there, back then in the 80s but now the National Stadium is a shadow of itself. Even though this is a FIFA event, and should be hosted at the National Stadium, one cannot help but agree that the Teslim Balogun Stadium is in a better position, considering the kind of facelift the place has received; a lot of money has been spent there and the facilities are standard.

"Also, all these area boys (street urchins who extort money from hapless motorists and residents of the area) and touts cannot gain easy access at Teslim but you see a lot of them at the National Stadium," he said

"However, I believe something should be done about the National Stadium, so that it is not altogether abandoned. Maybe two different committees should be set up so that one oversees what is happening at Teslim while the other sees to issues at the National Stadium," suggested Mr. Oridedi.