Rabiu Omaku
The Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Barrister Danladi Isaac has explained that plans are underway to hire experts who would be deployed to ensure that the facilities are not abused by excessive use or over-exposure to destructive elements.
He added that consideration has also been given to constructing one mini stadium in each of the three Senatorial Zones of the State to curtail the high traffic on the Lafia City Stadium and serve as discovery grounds for hidden and budding talents across the State.
He gave the hint at the final match between Audmitch Football Academy versus Sarjaf Yerima FC to herald the end of the Lafia Central 2023 Nationwide League One U-19 Youth League Play-off on Wednesday at the Lafia City Stadium
The Permanent Secretary further stated that the Ministry would inspect the proposed football training ground behind the Government House, Lafia, for its conversion to a modern training field in order to reduce the high traffic by the two State-owned teams on the main football field as its the practice the world over.
The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry is initiating various sports-friendly programmes in tandem with global best practices and in line with Governor Abdullahi Sule administration’s blueprint for the Ministry.
Noting that the major stakeholders would be the ones to enjoy the bulk of the initiatives.
“Today, we are all happy and laughing to see that the Lafia City Stadium is bubbling with sporting activities again after over two seasons of no competitive football programmes here due to the massive renovation work in the stadium.
“About a month ago, we had a test run on the facility where the final of the 2nd Edition of the Emir’s Cup was played, and you could be excited on the faces of the large spectators that turned out to watch that finale.
“Football stakeholders in the State are yearning to watch the return of league action on this facility in the nearest future with two of the State’s teams, Nasarawa United FC and Nasarawa Amazons FC, still playing in different categories of the country’s football leagues.”
Barrister Issac revealed that there are plans to remodel the Stadium to meet the standard requirements.
“The Governor, due to his deep understanding and love for sports, has not hidden his desire to upgrade the Lafia City Stadium to, at least, an Olympic-sized facility that can accommodate facilities like Volleyball, Handball, Tennis, Basketball Courts, modern athletic tracks, and a Hockey pitch.
“Also, he wants the remodeling of both the VIP and Popular stands, expansion and upgrading of the sitting terraces to accommodate more spectators.
“So far, some Companies have applied to carry out the job and we are assessing their applications, and once we are adequately briefed, we can now approach the Governor for the next line of action.
“You can imagine how many NLO qualifying games were played on this turf since the qualifying series began. So, if all these facilities are in place, certainly, Nasarawa State will come alive, sports-wise, and this will both improve our economy and raise our stake in the sports world. Our sportsmen and women will be the biggest beneficiaries.”
