Lagos building more stadiums to encourage sports – Hamzat

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, says the state will be building more stadiums as a strategy to stimulate the interest of youths in sports.

This was as he assured the Confederation of African Football of Lagos State’s preparedness to provide good sporting facilities and an enabling environment to boost the interest of Nigeria in co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with the Republic of Benin.

Hamzat spoke on Wednesday while receiving CAF inspection team, which paid him a courtesy visit at the Round House, Alausa.

Hamzat said, “Lagos has the people, the facilities, and the commitment of the government,” noting that Lagos had in the past hosted the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup football competitions.

According to Hamzat, past experiences have prepared Lagos for the upcoming event.

“We are going to build more stadiums across the state in places like Agege, Ifako-Ijaye, Ikorodu and Epe, among others to encourage more participation in community football by the youths,” he added.

Earlier, the leader of the Nigerian delegation for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 Bid, Mallam Mainasara Illo, said the inspection team was in Lagos to inspect football facilities that the Nigeria Football Federation had proposed for the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027.