TOWARDS A PRO-ACTIVE SPORTS STADIUM INFRASTRUCTURE IN NIGERIA Paper BY CHUKWUEMEKA EJIKE | Seite 4

PROJECT DEFINITION
Towards a pro-active sports Stadium infrastructure in Nigeria
The sports Stadium infrastructural provision and maintenance in Nigeria is one that does not
provide the needed comforts, safety and excitements of stadium events to spectators. Some of the
inadequacies includes and are not limited to; low quality seats, exposure of spectators to the
various elements of weather, absence or inadequacy of commercial activities in the stadium
environment, inadequate excitement features, insecurity, inadequate funding, low maintenance
culture, compromise on the side of match officials due to insecurity during matches or other
stadium events, absence of and low quality media coverage, sub-standard structures and so on.
All these and many more are problems facing the Nigerian sports stadium infrastructure. Little
wonder the low patronage in the sports industry in Nigeria. This paper with the illustrations,
outlines different avenues through which safety, comfort and excitement could be enhanced in
Nigerian sports through the provisions of good sports stadiums in great numbers, at least one in
every state in Nigeria. This will go a long way in upgrading the Nigerian sports to a very active
and attractive one. It will also inspire Nigerians to fan and support our indigenous football clubs
and the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).
PROBLEM STATEMENT
A clear look at the Nigerian Professional Football League shows that we have only few stadiums
that provide the needed safety and comfort to spectators. Little wonder then at the low turnout of
spectators to cheer their teams to victory.
Ensuring comfort in a stadium by providing good seats, cover against climatic elements and
other exciting and safety features are part of the reason for the boost in the European sports
industry. Emulating such will equally ensure much improvement and patronage in the Nigerian
sports industry.
AIMS
The business of sports depends wholly on fans, which can be seen as the lifeblood of the sports
organizations (Buhler & Nufer, 2010). Having a safe and comfort driven sports stadium