By Amaechi Agbo

Following the relaxation of restrictions placed on contact sports across the country due to the outbreak of COVID_19 in February, the federal government through the minister of youth and sports will next week reopen national stadiums for the commencement of training and practice in all contact-related sports

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development who announced this on Wednesday said the Velodrome, tennis courts, practice pitches and practice tracks of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja will be open from 7.00am to 5.00pm daily.

The Stadium was closed as part of COVID-19 Prevention Protocols to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Other facilities to be reopened are the Handball, Volleyball and Basketball outdoors and indoors courts as well as the Gymnasium Hall.

The Ministry will also reopen some facilities at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. These are the indoors sports hall, hockey pitch, tennis courts, swimming pool, astro (legacy) pitch, squash court, para lifting gymnasium and Ayonote Boxing Gymnasium. They will all open from 7.00am to 5.00pm.

The main bowls of both stadia, which are undergoing rehabilitation, remain closed to the public.