It was in 1988 that the novel match was played between Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan and El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, Mike Odu would always be in the book of memory for being the first player to score on the stadium as his solitary goal earned his Team a 1-0 victory over the Shooting Stars.
Lekan Salami Stadium formerly known as Adamasingba Stadium was completed when Liberty Stadium of Ibadan was already aging after 38 years of existence. It was beautiful to behold and it became adorable to all across the world.
One important memory associated with Lekan Salami Stadium was 1994 Super Eagle 5-1 victory over Georgia. The March was the last friendly match played by Nigeria before departing for America for the world cup. The 1994 world cup was the first-ever World Cup engagement in the history of Nigeria.
During the 5-1 victory against Georgia, Rashidi Yekini netted the first two goals in the 11th and 43rd minutes, Samson Shiasia scored the second two goals at 58th and 60th minute, while Mutiu Adepoju netted the last goal at the 65th Minute of the game. The match was one of the most impressive matches Super Eagles had ever played, it was indeed a glorious day for Adamasingba Stadium.
Our Beautiful Adamasingba Stadium that was once enviable to all later became dejected, neglected, and rejected, successive administrations in Oyo State have shown a lackadaisical attitude to sporting activities, nobody could ever think of hosting a standard local match in such a Stadium not to talk of International Match.
About 34 years after the opening of Adamasingba Stadium, a stroke of brighter luck shined on it as Governor Seyi Makinde opened the book of memory and gave it a befitting face-lift, Lekan Salami of today is again enviable to the world. GSM has given us a Sports Complex of the 21st Century.
Many are unprecedented facilities that made Adamasingba of International Standard; standard grass pitch, a departure from the artificial turf, Sports Complex now has a training pitch, which would also serve as a kind of community centre for the Ibadan people desirous of a befitting playing field. The training pitch is one of the requirements by the world football governing body for its approval of the stadium for international football engagements.
Aside from these physical innovations, there are also electronic scoreboards, video assistant referee (VAR) facilities, and pitch-side monitors. The main bowl of the Lekan Salami has also been equipped with automated floodlights and sundry lighting for the security of life and property at the complex. Thus, live transmission of matches can be achieved with ease just as activities in four different stadia could be monitored live at the Lekan Salami Complex. In addition to all of these, the stadium can now boast of four new separate dressing rooms, each with its wet areas.
There are many other beautiful innovations from Adamasingba that we cannot mention all. Apart from the fact that it encourages sporting activities for the discovery of talents, Adamasingba Stadium would also serve as a source of Revenue for the Government. The Stadium will be hosting many sporting activities nationally and International, the bulk of tickets that would be sold would be revenue for the government. The residents of Ibadan would also have economic benefits from it because whenever there are major activities, people would come across the globe and they would patronize Ibadan markets. It is a win-win situation.
Just like Shooting Stars and El Kanemi opened the pitch in 1988, 3SC again takes on NK Tabor Sezana of Slovakia in a friendly match to open the newly remodeled Lekan Salami Stadium, this is history repeating itself. Just like we are remembering Pa David Jemibewon for starring the project in 1976, Governor Seyi Makinde would be remembered for this laudable remodeling as we have better days ahead for sporting activities in Oyo State.
Ogunwoye Samson Gbemiga
Ogbomoso,
ogunwoyesamson@gmail.com
