The contractor handling the remodeling of the Osogbo City Stadium, Maxwell International Ventures Limited has disclosed that the facility is 40 per cent complete.

This was just as the company stressed that the playing pitch was being developed to meet the standards of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

Speaking during a facility tour with the members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, the Project Manager, Jacob Oyekale, said the project had recorded significant progress despite funding constraints and interruptions that affected the original completion schedule.

According to him, inadequate funding and the suspension of construction activities during the pre-election period prevented the contractor from meeting the initial deadline.

“We are well over 40 per cent complete. I cannot give a specific date at the moment, but I believe the project should be completed within the next few months, certainly in less than a year,” he said.

Oyekale disclosed that the stadium’s main bowl was being expanded from a seating capacity of 5,000 to 15,000 spectators, with covered stands designed to provide a more comfortable viewing experience.

He said the initial plan to use natural grass for the main playing field had been changed to artificial turf following consultations, adding that the imported turf was already available for installation.

He noted that the stadium will also feature Olympic-certified running tracks to complement the playing field.

Oyekale explained that the need to protect the main playing surface from excessive use informed the decision to construct two additional training pitches behind the stadium.

“One will be a natural-grass training pitch with a track, possibly a four-lane track, while the other will have artificial turf. We will also have a certified hockey field,” he said.

He added that plans were underway to develop an indoor sports hub capable of accommodating multiple sporting activities, alongside handball, volleyball and basketball courts, subject to the final arrangement of the facilities.

He continued that the project included a hostel with a capacity of more than 100 beds, adding that the hostel’s accommodation arrangement would determine the number of occupants, as some rooms could accommodate two people while others could take four.

On further improvements to the grandstand, the project manager said a new design was being considered to remove intermediate columns that currently obstruct spectators’ views of the playing field.

He explained that the existing structure would be retained for the planned inauguration, while the proposed modifications would be implemented afterwards.

The new design, he added, would include VIP booths for spectators seeking private and more comfortable viewing spaces.

Each booth is expected to accommodate eight people and have its own convenience facilities, offering an additional premium experience for spectators.

Oyekale said the long-term ambition was to transform Osun State into one of Nigeria’s leading sports destinations by providing facilities capable of hosting national and international competitions.

He identified hosting the National Sports Festival as one of the immediate ambitions, noting that the state could subsequently position itself to bid for international sporting events.

He said the remodelling of the Osogbo facility was expected to support the development of sports professionals, including athletes and coaches, while creating economic opportunities for residents.

According to him, major sporting events could attract large numbers of visitors to Osogbo, creating business opportunities for hotels, food vendors, tourism operators and other service providers.

He added that the contractor was working with the Ministry of Sports, the Sports Council, the Ministry of Works and the PPA in Osogbo to ensure that the project reflected the state’s requirements.

He expressed hope that, when completed, the remodelling would provide Osun State with a modern sporting complex capable of supporting grassroots sports development, hosting major competitions and contributing to the state’s economic growth.