TOWARDS A PRO-ACTIVE SPORTS STADIUM INFRASTRUCTURE IN NIGERIA Paper BY CHUKWUEMEKA EJIKE | Page 11

2018
The State of Abuja International Stadium in 2004 and 2018 Source; Internet.
Furthermore, the idea of the government overseeing every aspect of sports through sports
ministers can only slow down sports development in Nigeria. Our European counterparts have
structured sports management such that government’s influence and interference is minimized
whereas the influence of the general public and commercial outfits are maximized.
ADVANCEMENT IN STADIUM INFRASTRUCTURAL DESIGN
The stadium consists of the pitch, sitting areas for spectators and spaces for other required events
to take place (www.wikipedia.org/stadium ) .
The word “stadium” originated from the Ancient Greece, from a town Olympia. The natives of
Olympia were known for running a race over a measured distance of 192m. This measurement in
Greece is known as a “stadium”, and this then gave its title to the venue. Stadia at Olympia
consist of stone seats and earth embankments. This arena was what gave birth to the inspiration
of a new type of athletic arena called the amphitheatre; and from the amphitheatre to what we
now have today as a ‘stadium’.
The aim of ensuring safety and comfort in the stadium and the drive for higher capacities
have caused an exploration for improved materials and construction techniques in
stadium design. Modern technology, have made it possible for a large vertical distance to