By VIVIAN AHANMISI

The Lagos State Sports Trust Fund (LSSTF) says renovation of Rowe Park’s Indoor Sports Hall and squash courts is nearing completion ahead of National Intermediate Games..

The facilities at Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, are being upgraded as Lagos intensifies preparations to host the maiden National Intermediate Games.

The Games are scheduled for Lagos from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, with the renovated facilities expected to provide improved venues for indoor sporting events.

LSSTF Executive Secretary, Olaposi Agunbiade, in a statement, expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work following an inspection on Wednesday.

“I am more than impressed. With the speed and quality I’ve seen, I’m confident Rowe Park will be ready by mid-September ahead of schedule,” he said.

Agunbiade said timely completion would ensure the facilities were fully prepared to accommodate athletes and officials participating in the Games.

He commended the contractor, Messrs Intermol Consult Ltd., for its dedication and commitment to completing the project within the shortened timeframe.

Agunbiade also commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the timely release of funds required for the rehabilitation project.

According to him, the funding demonstrated the state government’s commitment to developing and improving sports infrastructure across Lagos.

He said the investment would benefit athletes at the Intermediate Games while providing improved venues for training and competitions afterwards.

Agunbiade urged individuals, corporate organisations and other donors to support similar rehabilitation projects across the state.

He said greater private-sector participation would enable Lagos to rehabilitate more sporting facilities and create better opportunities for athletes to develop their talents.

Similarly, the LSSTF chairman, Wahid Oshodi, said work had progressed rapidly since the project was commissioned to Intermol Consult less than two weeks ago.

He said the project was already at the finishing stage, with the contractor working to ensure delivery ahead of the Games.

Niyi Lawal, representing Intermol Consult Ltd., said the company accepted the challenge of completing the project within six weeks instead of its original three-month schedule.

“We initially quoted three months, but accepted the six-week target. Our engineers have been working day and night,” Lawal said.

He said additional workers had been deployed, including staff redeployed from Abuja, to ensure the project met the agreed deadline.

“By the third week of September, the Indoor Hall and squash courts will be fully operational,” he assured.

Lawal said the renovation had given the facilities a new appearance and would provide athletes with a more conducive environment for training.

He said the rehabilitation would improve the standard of indoor sporting facilities in Lagos and support regular competitions and talent development.

The Rowe Park Sports Centre has historically served as an important venue for sporting activities and grassroots development programmes across Lagos.

The ongoing rehabilitation is expected to restore the centre’s prominence among the state’s sporting venues while extending its usefulness beyond the Games.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden National Intermediate Games will bring together young athletes from across Nigeria.

The competition will provide participants with opportunities to gain experience, showcase their abilities and develop their talents for future competitions.

With the Oct. 1 opening date approaching, stakeholders are optimistic that the renovated facilities will be ready to host competitions.

Beyond the Games, the improved Rowe Park facilities are expected to support regular training, competitions and talent development for athletes and sporting organisations.

The rehabilitation therefore forms part of broader efforts by the Lagos Government and LSSTF to strengthen sports infrastructure and nurture future athletes.

Stakeholders expect the renovated facilities to provide young athletes with a better environment to compete, develop their abilities and pursue sporting excellence. (NAN)