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Ogun State has completed its long-anticipated Olympic-standard swimming complex and other key sports infrastructure ahead of the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, The PUNCH reports.
The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, confirmed the development in an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex on Sunday, revealing that the main competition and practice pools have now been fully equipped with international standards.
“Both pools are ready,” he said.
“They meet Olympic specifications, with everything from swimming pads to the latest global-standard installations now in place.”
The completion of the aquatic centre marks a major milestone in the state’s preparations for the festival, addressing widespread concerns over the delayed delivery of the facility. The commissioner noted that four new tennis and handball courts located beside the swimming complex have also been finalised, contributing to a broader upgrade of the state’s sports infrastructure.
As part of the improvements, the football pitch area has also transformed, replacing its former natural grass surface with artificial turf. Upon further questioning on why the state adopted this measure, Isiaka explained that the decision was based on considerations of durability and long-term maintenance.
“You don’t just build for the moment. You consider maintenance and what’s in vogue globally,” he said.
“Artificial turf makes more sense for the usage we anticipate.”
On the long-standing issue of the state’s lack of a conventional shooting range, the commissioner clarified that Ogun has adopted modern, laser-based systems, which are now the global norm in the sport.
“People keep asking about a traditional shooting range,” he added.
“But the world has moved on. Today, you don’t need live ammunition. Everything is now computerised and done in halls using laser-target technology. Even places like Asaba have switched to this model.”
According to him, the same expert who installed the laser equipment in Asaba was also responsible for fitting Ogun’s new system, ensuring that athletes will be training and competing with tools that meet national and international expectations.
Looking ahead to the festival, the Sports Commissioner said the state was fully prepared not just in infrastructure but also in competitive ambition, as it expects to welcome foreign-based athletes and compete strongly across various disciplines.
“I doubt if any of the top five or six states will arrive without foreign athletes,” he said.
“We are not only ready for them, we’re bringing our own too.”
The commissioner also cited global stars like Tobi Amusan as examples of the kind of elite athletes Ogun is working to bring in for the festival scheduled to be held from May 16 to 30 in Abeokuta and other designated venues across the state.
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