The Nation Newspaper

Tag: STADIUM

  • NPFL inspects Akure Township Stadium

    The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has carried out a comprehensive inspection of the Akure Township Stadium, as a part of the pre- season preparations.

    Team Manager of Sunshine Stars, Gabriel Aborowa disclosed to journalists that the NPL examiner assigned the task to inspect the stadia, Rtd General Emmanuel Chukwudi Okaro visited the renovated facilities.

    “I can confirm to you that the inspection was carried out on Monday, the Akure Township Stadium was inspected and we are very optimistic that what we have in terms of the basic needed facility is intact and in accordance with the regulations of the league body,” he stated. The Ondo State government embarked on the renovation of the stadium with the mission to have the home team, Sunshine Stars host their NPL opponents before their home fans in Akure.

    Sunshine Stars for the past two seasons have played all their home matches at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.

    Speaking to journalists, Mr.Fisayo Akinkuade, former member of the Ondo State Football Agency said the dressing rooms, sitting terraces and the playing turf on the main bowl are ready for action, when the league commences on March 9, stating that the tartan tracks are still undergoing renovation works. He noted that this would not affect the readiness of the stadia to host their league matches.

    Sunshine Stars are billed to host fellow premier league team, Kaduna United when the 2013/2014 Nigeria Professional Football League finally kicks off.

  • NFF inspects Sani Abacha Stadium

    NFF inspects Sani Abacha Stadium

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has inspected the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, to know the state of the facilities ahead of next year’s CAF Champions League games.

    The League Champions, Kano Pillars will face Olympique de Bangui from the Central African Republic in the preliminaries of the 2013 CAF Champions League.

    The Pyramid side will first host their opponents between February 15 and 17 with the return leg clash fixed for between March 1-3.

    The NFF Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi led the three-man delegation to the inspection tour of the ancient City. They are expected to submit their report to the NFF board for onward ratification.

    Also, the final inspection will be conducted by the CAF representatives and NFF officials in the first week of January for the final approval of the stadium.

    “The NFF Director of Competition, Dr. Sanusi and two others were in Kano for the inspection of the Sani Abacha Stadium. As you are aware, Pillars, as league Champions, will play in the CAF Champions League and NFF must be satisfied that the stadium is in good condition and it meets CAF/FIFA standard. That is why they were here. And based on their assessment, I have no doubt that the stadium would be given the go-ahead to host CAF matches,” the club’s media officer, Idris Malikawa told SportingLife.

    “Dr. Sanusi also told us that we would be informed if there is any area we need to work on before the final inspection by the CAF representatives in January.”

  • FANS HAIL LAGOS FOR INSTALLING SCORE BOARD AT AGEGE STADIUM

    FANS HAIL LAGOS FOR INSTALLING SCORE BOARD AT AGEGE STADIUM

    FANS AT THE Agege Stadium, venue of the football event of the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) on Saturday commended the Lagos State government for providing a score board.

    The fans who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, said that the score board should have been completed before the commencement of the NSF.

    A businessman, Bayo Akinyele, wondered why the score board was not installed before the football event kicked off.

    He, however, applauded the state for providing the score board.

    “I must say they have done a great job with the score board but they should have installed it before the festival started,” he said.

    A student, Godfrey Akpan, told NAN that the score board should be maintained for other competitions.

    ”It is a good thing that the board is working and it should be properly maintained,” he said.

    In the same vein, Rashidat Azeez, a trader, said that the score board would provide spectators with more information about a match.

    “It’s a wonderful thing to see the score board working. Fans will get to Know information about the score line and players,”she said.

    Martins Edole a businessman, said that having a functioning score board in place was a welcome development.

    He, however, urged the Lagos State Government to improve similar facilities located in other parts of the state for youth sports development.

    “This is indeed a good development in this stadium and other sports centre should be improved to engage youths in the state.”

    A fan, Ndidi Festus, said it was shameful that the board was installed at the tail end of the NSF.