Teslim Balogun Stadium

Teslim Balogun Stadium

Aerial view of the stadium
Full name	Teslim Balogun Stadium
Location	Lagos
Capacity	24,325
Surface	Grass
Construction
Opened	1984
Architect	SPartner (Germany)chlaich Bergermann &
Tenants
Nigeria national football team Vandrezzer FC 1472 F.C.

The Teslim Balogun Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. It is used mostly for football matches and serves as a home ground of First Bank FC. The Nigeria national rugby league team also uses the venue. ^[1] The stadium has a capacity of 24,325 people, and is sometimes used for international football matches. ^[2] It once served as the venue for the Nigerian Cup final, just before it hosted some matches in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup youth tournament held in Nigeria. It sits adjacent to the Lagos National Stadium. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Overview

It is named after Nigerian former professional footballer Teslim Balogun.^{[ citation needed ]}

Started in 1984 under the administration of military governor Gbolahan Mudasiru, construction continually stalled under military regimes and the stadium became a white elephant. By the time the stadium was completed in 2007, it had taken 23 years and cost over N1.3 billion.^{[ citation needed ]}

As recently as 2006, it was occupied by homeless people and area boys.

The first sporting event held in the stadium was the 18th Mobil Track and Field Athletics Championship on 17 May. The first football game was an international friendly on 28 May between Enyimba and Asante Kotoko. The stadium also hosted the Nigeria Premier League Super Four playoff that season and the Nigerian FA Cup final in 2007. The final of the 2009 Federation Cup between Enyimba and Sharks was held at the stadium.

Lagos State Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele disclosed at the FIFA Media Briefing Room of the Teslim Balogun Stadium on 18 May 2009 on the preparations for FIFA U-17 World Cup that "with a FIFA Star Two artificial 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 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, I know we are set to host a successful championship."^{[ citation needed ]}

The Teslim Balogun stadium was also the main venue of the 18th National Sports festival in December 2012. ^{[6] [7]}

With 114 gold, 99 silver, and 75 bronze medals, Delta took the top spot on the medal stand and emerge winners of the 18th National sport Festival. ^[8]

In 2018, during the Nigerian Independence day (1 October 2018); The Crawford Age grade competition ^[9] was held at the Olympic Standard swimming pool of the stadium.

Eyo Festival, Teslim Balogun Stadium, 2011

Architecture

The stadium was designed by Nigerian Architect Onafowokan Michael Olutusen in 1981, construction commenced and there was a halt in the process following political instabilities. The Stadium was later brought to full construction status by Nigerian Architect O.C. Majoroh of Majoroh Partnership in 2007.

The stadium design utilizes principles of sustainable architecture, carefully infusing elements of green architecture in the design, the ratio of softscape to hardscape is 70:30. The site plan is a complete mix of Architecture and planning, considering the stiff nature of the site and its constraints of size the architecture of the stadium was carefully conceptualized to put into consideration every aspect of design. Adjoining facilities like the pool and other sporting courts where positioned to suit the overall outlook of the stadium. Car parking areas are not devoid of green elements. Spaces are provided for VIPs, Sportsmen and workers the general public has no parking space due to the nature of the facilities and to reduce congestion from the northern and western road networks of the stadium.

The stadium incorporates an architectural style of tropical modernism, a style of architecture where the climate is a major consideration, this can be seen in the careful incorporation of terraces to support airflow and cross ventilate indoor spaces in the stadium thereby improving air quality of indoor spaces.

Between 2023 and 2024, the facade of the Teslim Balogun stadium was redesigned in a Modern Contemporary Architectural style, the use of ACM panels with multi coloured panels at the bottom of the panelled surface spread evenly round about gives the stadium a new look. The roof members are suspended on steel trusses, to prevent the viewers from adverse weather effects like rain during the use of the facility.

Notable football matches

2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Date	Team 1	Result	Team 2	Attendance	Round
24 October 2009	Mexico	0–2	Switzerland	9,870	Group B
	Brazil	3–2	Japan	15,254
27 October 2009	Switzerland	4–3		9,920
	Brazil	0–1	Mexico	21,115
30 October 2009	Japan	0–2		17,105
4 November 2009	Switzerland	4–3 ( a.e.t. )	Germany	15,515	Round of 16
12 November 2009	Colombia	0–4	Switzerland	18,011	Semi-finals
	Spain	1–3	Nigeria	24,000

References

1. "Nigeria v Ghana match information". Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
2. "Despite fear of 'structural defect,' Teslim Balogun Stadium goes all-covered". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
3. Aiyejina, Tana (24 April 2023). "Lagos stadium: From West Africa's best to national shame". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
4. Igwe, Chidi (15 December 2021). "Teslim Balogun Stadium gets new facilities, including hospitality suite". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
5. TVCN (27 September 2018). "Work begins on new grass pitch at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos - Trending News" . Retrieved 8 October 2023.
6. "Eko 2012:18th National Sports Festival kicks off today | Channels Television". www.channelstv.com. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
7. "National Sports Festival: Only 12 states have so far declared interest". Premium Times Nigeria. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
8. Emmanuel, Ogala (9 December 2012). "Eko 2012: National Sports Festival ends". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
9. "Crawford Age grade Swimming Competition in Nigeria".

External links

• Venue information
• October 2006
• Lagos Govt spends N1.4b on Balogun Stadium
• Enyimba, Kotoko baptise Teslim Balogun pitch ^{[ permanent dead link ]}
• Teslim Balogun To Host Principal's Cup Archived 8 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
• Archived 5 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine

6°29′58″N3°21′39″E / 6.49944°N 3.36083°E / 6.49944; 3.36083