Sports
2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifiers: We’ll fill Abuja stadium to lead Eagles to victory with or without govt support” – Dan Arewa
…says tickets must be free
By Akeem Busari
As preparations for the return leg of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana heats up in Abuja, Chairman of Katsina State Football Association, Aminu Kurfi Balele, has declared his interest to team up with other patriotic Nigerian businessmen, even if they have to buy all the match tickets and distribute free to members of the public.
Speaking on a radio show monitored in Lagos, he expressed his disappointment with the decision of the government and NFF to ask soccer fans to pay as much as N2,000 for entry tickets to the stadium.
” I’m totally against the decision of the sports minister and the NFF to place such price on the match tickets. If we actually want to fill the Abuja stadium to its capacity, the gates should be thrown open for free entry.
Kurfi, popular known in the football community as Dan Arewa, further disclosed that he was initially not in support of the choice of the Abuja stadium. He noted that Abuja residents are mostly civil servants who would rather return home after work than go to the stadium, unlike residents of Kano, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Port-Harcourt.
” We saw how the stadium in Ghana was filled to the brims. And we can only get such crowds in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Port-Harcourt because of their love for the game. That’s what we want and the only way to achieve that in Abuja, is to make the entry free for the fans. We must win and qualifier for Qatar.”
Balele who is renowned for his immense contributions to grassroots football development continued, ” We must fill up the Abuja stadium and do everything we can to ensure we qualify for the world cup.
” It is not enough to provide free buses to the stadium. Even if it means reaching out to richer Nigerian business men like Adenuga and Dangote, we shall do it,” he added.
Sports
NVBF seeks continuous partnership with Abia Govt after successful 2025 Nat Div 1 & 2
Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) have expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Abia State for their outstanding support and collaboration during the successful hosting of the final phase of the 2025 National Division 1 and 2 Volleyball Leagues.
In a statement signed by Engineer Musa Nimrod, NVBF President, the federation commended Abia State for its warm hospitality and commitment to the development of sports, particularly volleyball.
Nimrod explained that the successful event was a result of the strong partnership between the federation and the state government.
He said, “The Board of Administration of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, on behalf of the entire volleyball community in the country, wishes to express profound gratitude to the Government and people of Abia State for their noble collaboration in organizing the final phase of Division 1 and 2.”
He further highlighted that Abia State is gradually becoming a hub for volleyball in Nigeria.
Nimrod attributed the growth of volleyball to the government’s investment in youth and sports development.
He emphasised the NVBF desire to sustain and strengthen this partnership to further promote volleyball and empower young athletes across the nation.
“The federation remains grateful and looks forward to a more robust and progressive partnership with the Abia State Government in the future.”
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News10 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
