From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Nasarawa State government says it has renovated the Keffi Stadium in Keffi Local Government Area of the state and is ready to host both national and international tournaments.
The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Yargwa stated this recently during an interaction with journalists in Lafia.
According to him, the state was also rehabilitating and refurbishing the Lafia City Stadium with state of the art facilities to meet up with world standard.
“So far, the work is still ongoing, despite the fact that the work is not moving the way we want, due to the way the contractor is handling it but I can assure you that before the end of July, 2022, we are going to be through with the work.
“The Stadium renovation includes the building of a modern hockey pitch and also upgrading of our volleyball and basketball courts.
“We are also working towards establishing zonal stadiums but you know that some of these projects have to be captured in the budget. By 2023, we will have another Stadium in Akwanga,” he said.
On the issue of establishing sports academy in Akwanga, the commissioner said “we have gone to evaluate situations in the academy and we discovered that the facilities are obsolete. However, we are glad to say that the governor has given us express approval to turn around situation at the academy.”
The commissioner further stated that government was elated with the performance of Nasarawa Amazons at the just concluded 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Women League where they finished top of group ‘A’ with 27 points ahead of Edo Queens with 26 points, thus qualifying for the Super Six which they performed excellently well to finish as second best in the entire country with a prize money of N3 million naira.
He appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule for investing hugely in youth and sports development, saying his administration has developed the capacities of the youths in skills acquisition programmes and sporting activities for the overall good of the society.
The commissioner assured that the ministry would continue to work in line with the economic development goal of the Sule led administration, in order to support government’s plans and programmes aimed at uplifting the youths of the state.
According to him, with the achievements of Governor Sule, the governor deserves not only commendation but to be re-elected for second term.
“I want to use this period of his three years anniversary in the state to call on the youths to continue to support his government.
“While we wish the Sule administration a happy 3rd anniversary celebration…, it’s our earnest hope and prayer that it continues to impact more meaningfully on the welfare of the citizens and state in general,” he said.