Adamasingba Stadium,[1] also known as Lekan Salami Stadium, is a versatile sport arena in Ibadan, Nigeria. Primarily utilized for football matches, the stadium serves as the home ground for Shooting Stars FC and various other local teams. With seating for 10,000 spectators, it offers a vibrant setting for sport events
 | |
 | |
| Full name | Adamasingba Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | Lekan Salami Stadium |
| Location | Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1976 |
| Opened | 28 May 1988 |
| Tenants | |
| Shooting Stars | |
Shooting Stars FC are an extremely successful team and have many fans. They won the championship in 1993 and soon after, went to the bottom of the ladder.[2]
The potential of the sporting complex has however not been optimally utilised due to rot and decay making most facilities moribund as a result of what many believes is a lack of maintenance culture. Over the years, many of the structures have been overtaken by bushes and taken over by reptiles.[3]
History edit
Adamasingba complex was built on 130,000 square meters of land, formerly occupied by Ibadan race course. It was opened on May 28, 1988. Developmental plans for the complex began in 1976 during the administration of David Jemibewon. The race course space had gone unused and had been occupied by illegal structures and activities. To reclaim the land, the military government of Jemibewon decided to build a recreational and sports complex. While the initial design was for sport and recreational complex, provision of additional facilities for shops was later added. At inception, the complex included a football field, tennis courts, squash court and indoor sports hall. Since it was opened, the facilities have been poorly maintained.[4]
The stadium was named Lekan Salami Stadium in 1998 in honor of Chief Lekan Salami by the Oyo State Military Governor Hammed Usman.[5]
In 2021, the stadium was renovated with new cutting-edge technologies and FIFA recommended natural grass.[6]
References edit
- ^ "Adamasingba Stadium". soccerway. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
- ^ Parrish, Charles; Nauright, John (2014-04-21). Soccer around the World: A Cultural Guide to the World's Favorite Sport. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-61069-303-5.
- ^ "After decades of abandonment, Adamasingba stadium facelift commences". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
- ^ "Adamasingba Complex Opens". The Punch. Ikeja. May 28, 1988. p. 5.
- ^ "Investigation – Rust, rot and waste: a peek into Ibadan's waning infrastructure II — The Page Nigeria". The Page Nigeria. 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
- ^ "After 33 years, Oyo upgrades Lekan Salami Stadium using alternate project funding". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-09-06. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
7°23′47″N 3°53′09″E / 7.39639°N 3.88583°E