One of the leading co-educational secondary schools in Nigeria, Atlantic Hall is set to begin the construction of the biggest sports complex in any school in Nigeria with the aim of promoting grassroots sports and early talent discovery. A tree planting exercise at the project site in the school premises on Friday, June 8, 2018 marked the plan kick-off.
The event which coincides with the 26th Valedictory & graduation ceremony of the 2017/2018 set of students at the school had Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Executive Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission as special guest of honour for the 2.5billion Naira sports complex project.
The Atlantic Hall Sports Complex, to be constructed on 15 hectares of land on the vast school campus, shall comprise of five football pitches, an eight-lane tartan track, 1000 square meter multi-purpose indoor sports hall, basketball courts, six tennis courts, volleyball and handball courts, a gymnasium, a pavilion with 1200-capacity bleacher, an Olympic size swimming pool and a wall of fame for the outstanding athletes and sports men and women that the school produces.
The Pavilion would also include, male and female changing rooms for students; male and female changing rooms for adults, offices, adequate equipment storage space and space for a snack bar.
The 1500 seater Multi-purpose Indoor Sports Hall would have the capacity for a 5 court hall (badminton, basketball, handball, volleyball) for indoor sports, 600 bleacher capacity; male and female changing rooms and also have offices for the sports department, the gymnasium and space for a small snack bar. This is in addition to, changing rooms, vendor stands, toilets and other ancillary facilities.
Mrs. Maureen Akpofure-Awobokun, Atlantic Hall PTA Chairman, said “The sports complex is conceived to compete with any of its kind worldwide.”
She stated that “when completed, the complex will be a source of pride to all Nigerians and Africans at large.”
“The Atlantic Hall Sports Complex is not just a vision of constructing world-class facilities for sports. This vision is about Building a Legacy of Champions in Africa,” Mrs Akpofure Awobokun added, noting that “We are faced with our own choice today; the choice to support the vision of the Atlantic Hall Sports Complex or not. The choice to take the lead in the regeneration of the Nigerian educational sports sector or not.”
Commenting on the tree planting exercise, the PTA Chairman said the act was part of the flag-off of the Sports Complex construction in line with the architectural masterplan.
Atlantic Hall Principal, Mr. Andrew Jedras also stated the project when completed will not only keep the students physically and mentally fit but enhance their social competence.
According to Atlantic Hall Educational Trust Council, the primary aims of the sports complex include promotion of early talent discovery, grassroots youth development, healthy living among young people and to serve as an efficient way of engaging young people against societal vices.
Atlantic Hall is a non- profit boarding school located at Poka, Epe, Lagos State. The school has over the years produced outstanding sports and academic talents which include the fastest man in Nigeria, Seye Ogunlewe; Anaeto Ikechukwu, Farida Dankaro, Hafiz Fusigboye, Osi Umenyiora, Chetanna Chukwudum, Ify Eze, Uju Nneji, Lillian Ofiani, Rasheedat Gbadamosi, Imo Ekong, Elizabeth Idoko, Akan Ekure, Iketubosin Benebo among others.
Other young talented athletes at the school currently include Chukwudi Anunagba, fastest boy in Lagos and Dan Princewell Goba, the fastest sprinter in 400 metres; Awe Onajevwe Anne, school head girl among others.
