Teslim Balogun Stadium "Pride of Sporting Complex" in Nigeria

Posted : 23 May 2023

The ''Football Arena" called Teslim Balogun undoubtedly remains one of the best sporting facilities in Nigeria.

The 24,325-spectator stand stadium that cost an estimate of N1.386 billion was built over 23 years ago by the Lagos State government after it was conceived in 1984 by the then military governor Gbolahan Mudasiru, although the construction was stalled under subsequent military regimes.

The stadium was finally built and commissioned in 2007.

The gigantic edifice was designed by construction engineer, O.C Majoroh.

Teslim Balogun Stadium was built for a multi-purpose use and situated in the heart of Surulere.

The Teslim Balogun Stadium was equipped with a FIFA Star Two artificial turf, (now replaced with grass turf), FIFA Grade seats with back rest, a seating capacity of 24,325, a 70 kVA electricity generating set for the digital scoreboard, state-of-the-art changing room for athletes and officials, security gadgets with CCTV cameras, a 1,000 kVA and 500 kVA generating sets and other standard facilities.

Although Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere is mostly used for football matches, it has other sports facilities such Volleyball Pitch, a Multi-Purpose hall named Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall; the stadium also has a Sports bar, standard Swimming pool, Squash court among other facilities.

One of the early competitions held at the stadium after commisioning was 18th Mobil Track and Field Athletics Championship held in May while the first football game was an international friendly played on May 18 between Enyimba and Asante Kotoko.

The stadium also hosted the 2007 Nigeria Premier League Super Four playoff and the Nigerian FA Cup final in 2007.

The final of the 2009 Federation Cup between Enyimba and Sharks was also held inside the stadium.

Teslim Balogun stadium also played host to many international competitions aside football which includes, Lagos International Squash Classics, World Table Tennis (WTT) African Cup, Lagos International Badminton Classics, Chief of Naval Staff Swimming competition among others.

Teslim Balogun Stadium was also the main venue for the 2012 National Sports Festival (NSF) hosted by Lagos.

In local football arena, Teslim Balogun Stadium serves as the home ground of First Bank FC and also, the Nigeria national rugby league team, it also at one time served as makeshift home for Mountain of Fire Football Club, a premiership club then and also serves as ground for the Federation Cup matches.

On the international football scene, Teslim Balogun Stadium hosted 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup and thereafter served temporarily as the National Senior Football team, Super Eagles home matches for World Cup and African Cup of Nations (AFCON) among others.

From the date of commissioning till date, Teslim Balogun Stadium has gone through series of face-lifts which include replacement of the turf from astro to all green grass stadium to further conform to the international acceptable standard.

Recently, the stadium is experiencing new innovation as the Lagos State government is redesigning it to be an all-covered stadium which will be ready soon.

Teslim Balogun Stadium "Pride of Sporting Complex" in Nigeria

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics