The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has declared the Lekan Salami Stadium, home of Shooting Stars Sporting Club (3SC), unfit for hosting matches due to the poor condition of its playing surface, according to TheAthletic.
This decision comes less than three years after the stadium underwent a significant rehabilitation project in September 2021.
The Oyo State Government invested approximately N5.5 billion in the stadium’s renovation, but the quality of the refurbishment has come into question.
The NPFL has now issued an ultimatum to 3SC and six other affected clubs, including Sunshine Stars, Plateau United, and Kwara United, to repair their stadiums ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Davidson Owumi, the NPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that clubs failing to meet the required standards will be required to play their home games at alternative venues.
Additionally, the league has raised concerns about the lack of essential broadcast support facilities, such as elevated camera stands, which are crucial for modern sports broadcasting.
The upcoming NPFL season is scheduled to kick off on August 31, 2024, and the league has planned its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for July 15 and 16 in Lagos. The AGM will review the previous season and outline plans for the forthcoming one.
This situation has cast a spotlight on the quality of the renovation work carried out by Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, the contractors responsible for the stadium’s upgrade.
The NPFL’s directive is seen as a positive move towards ensuring that stadiums adhere to the necessary standards for safety and a better viewing experience for fans.
The affected clubs have been notified, and the pressure is on to comply with the NPFL’s directive promptly. The resolution of this issue is critical as it could impact the start of the new season, and fans are keenly awaiting updates on the stadium rehabilitations.
Despite the stadium issues, Shooting Stars had a strong home performance in the recently concluded NPFL season, securing 18 wins, 8 draws, and 12 losses, and finishing 4th on the NPFL table.
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