The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ademola Ige has stated that re-modelled Adamasingba Sports Complex, Ibadan has the facilities that will attract many people who love tourism and adventure from within and outside the country to make Oyo State their preferred tourism destination
Hon. Ige made the statement while inspecting facilities at the stadium alongside the Vice-Chairman, Oyo State Board of Tourism, Mogaji Abass Oloko, another member of the board, Hon. Sarah Sobowale, some members of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), led by the State Director, Mr. Dotun Opatola, Erelu Funmi Rotiba of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (Western zone), as well as the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, among others today.
The project is billed to be commissioned by Governor Seyi Makinde on Wednesday, 1st September, 2021, with special matches, meant to test-run the facilities in the stadium.
Hon. Ige who was conducted round the facilities at the stadium by the Site Supervisor, Egba Jude Egba noted that he was impressed with the facilities put in place at the stadium which has been well equipped with modern facilities like the natural turf at the main bowl, modern changing rooms, flood lights and so on, adding that the complex has become another tourist site for lovers of tourism especially sports tourism all over the world.
According to him “this is part of the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde to make Oyo State a tourists’ destination, so this sport tourism project is one of other areas of tourism locations in eco-tourism, natural tourism and food tourism that are well noted around the world, this stadium is situated within the heart of the capital of the State and can be easily located.
“For the past 30 years that the Lekan Salami Sports Complex has been in existence, there has been no massive turn-around or refurbishment of the stadium like we are witnessing today under the present administration and that is why we are here with the major stakeholders in the sector to look at the areas that are important in the area of tourism and promote same to the world.”
“Prior to the commencement of this project, the governor said categorically that he has keen interest to develop tourism, to make tourism another major source of income for the State, here we are, he promised and has just delivered on his promise, this is where the State will generate better revenue to service its programmes and public facility development projects, the stadium is going to be the one to be laying the golden eggs in revenue generation henceforth.” He said.
The Chairman, Oyo State Sports Council, Hon. Gbenga Adewusi, in his reaction, said the re-modelling project will have a major impact on the history of Oyo State, as he noted that future generations of the State indigenes would remember the present administration for good.
He disclosed that already, many corporate organizations and companies like Nigerian Breweries and some sport marketers have beseeched the council to request for sponsorship of programmes, events and spaces in the Stadium.
According to the representatives of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) and Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), major facilities like museum, V.I.P lounge, statues of past sporting heroes from the State will attract tourists that will pay for controlled access to the stadium facilities.
They alluded to the facilities found at international sporting facilities like the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Emirate Stadium and the popular Brazil stadium among others as major sources of income generation for the countries where they are situated.
