The chairman, Ibadan Football Association (IFA), Barrister Rotimi Alli, has commended the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, for the renovation of the famous Olubadan Stadium.
The IFA boss, while delivering his opening remarks at the annual IFA pre-season lecture, held on Thursday, disclosed that the renovation carried out on the arena by the Governor was timely.
While speaking on how his executive committee worked hard to change the face of the once abandoned stadium, Alli, a trained lawyer but with great passion for football, disclosed that he and his committee members were already growing grey hair on how to renovate the mainbowl until the Governor suddenly surfaced to do it on his own.
“I want to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, the Governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde, for deciding to help us renovate the stadium.
“We did not even beg him before he decided to do this. We were already thinking about how to go about it, having worked on other places like the hostel and the hall, as well as the offices.
“If we were to renovate the main bow, it will take us at least two years but the Governor came to our rescue without being told and this is what you are seeing here. I really appreaciate the efforts of His Excellency”, added Libero, as the IFA boss is fondly called.
Apart from changing the look of the Olubadan stadium, the Rotimi Alli led executive comiittee, it will be recalled, revived the IFA league and the Olubadan Cup, just months after taking over the affairs of the IFA.
