Once a bustling hub of sports and recreation, the Ilesa Sports Stadium now stands abandoned, overtaken by weeds and neglect. What used to be a center of footballing excellence, attracting teams and fans from all over Nigeria, has now become a painful symbol of abandonment and governmental neglect.
For decades, the Ilesa Sports Stadium was the heartbeat of sports in the region. It was a venue where top teams competed, and young talents honed their skills. It played host to thrilling matches, sports festivals, and major celebrations.
IjesaNews spoke with Mr. Fadahunsi Bejide, a long-time resident who has lived in the area for close to 30 years and has witnessed numerous events at the stadium.
He recalled:”In those days, we had teams like Dynamos FC from Iperindo and Ilesa West FC playing here. People traveled from across Nigeria to watch football in this stadium. Teams from Ijesaland used to tour the country for competitions, and there were more than four ticketing points in the stadium. We had football stars like Suji Olagunju, Odidi, Segun Odegbami, and Baba Ogunjobi playing on this very pitch.”
However, this once-thriving sports center fell into disrepair and was abandoned. It saw a brief revival during the administration of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, but once again, it was neglected by successive governments.
“At one point, sports facilities like a basketball court, a swimming pool, and other projects were planned to be part of the stadium, but none materialized. The whole place eventually became a forest again until some determined youths gathered and cleared it just to create a makeshift playing field,” Mr. Bejide added.
He passionately appealed for government intervention saying “If this stadium can be rehabilitated again, it will be of great benefit to Ijesaland and future generations. Many of our youths who have fallen into social vices will have something meaningful to do through sports. If Governor Ademola Adeleke is done with the stadium in Osogbo, we plead with him to turn his attention to Ilesa.”
Beyond individual pleas, the frustration over the neglect of Ilesa Sports Stadium had also gained traction on social media. Oyedeji Kayode, a concerned citizen, raised serious concerns about the state of the stadium, recalling its golden years:
“What has happened to Ilesa Stadium? I remember those glorious old days when International Breweries Limited Football Club (IBL FC) played against the famous Leventis United, IICC, and other great teams. Those were good times! But now, IBL FC has gone into extinction, and what’s even worse—the Ilesa Sports Stadium itself has disappeared! The location is now a forest! How did we let this happen?”
He further lamented saying What has happened to that very turf on which MHSI Football Team humbled Ilegrams twice in 1991 and 1992? What has happened to the stadium that played host to annual Independence Day and Children’s Day celebrations in Ilesa for decades? Ijesa United played here in the early ’90s—where is that legacy today?”
Kayode traced the stadium’s downfall to an attempt at redevelopment during Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s administration, which was never completed.
“It is simply unacceptable that the entire Ijesaland, as vast as it is, has no functional stadium or a befitting sports center. It’s a shame! Whatever must be done to reverse this trend should be done immediately,” he emphasized.
The Son of the soil, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola completed his 2 terms as the Osun State Governor without any reasonable efforts on Ilesa City Stadium not to talk of his predecessor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
It is imperative to state that the incumbent Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke has initiated the first dual carriageway in Ijesaland (Owa’s palace/Ereja square – Okesa- Imo- Brewery express), a development which has been applauded by every son and daughter of Ijesaland but the truth must be told that sporting activities are major media to reduce social vices amongst the youths and these can only be effective only when Ilesa City Stadium is resuscitated.
As at today in Ilesa, the only viable alternative to the city stadium is the Sports Arena of Ilesa Grammar School, with minimal capacity.
It is disheartening to know of how cultism has taken over all high schools in Osun State, Ilesa in particular and one of the viable ways to reverse this ugly trend is re-introduce sporting activities into schools programmes. The re-construction of Ilesa City Stadium will help tremendously in this respect.
Residents and sports lovers across Ijesaland are now calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to take immediate action. While the Osogbo stadium rehabilitation project is underway, the people of Ilesa are are demanding that their own historic sports center not be forgotten.
A fully functional stadium would do more than just bring back competitive football; it would restore our pride, engage the youths positively, boost our economy and revive sporting culture in Ijesaland.
This is a direct plea to the Osun State Government—bring Ilesa Sports Stadium back to life! The time for action is now!
Big Uncle, thanks for this update regards the great Ilesa Sports Stadium.
This is a clarion call to all Ijesa descendants and well wishers. I shall discuss this with members of Ijesa Progressive Peace Ambassadors (IPPA),some notable and eminent sports lover persons in Nigeria and beyond sir.