Sports
Sports Ministry Pledges regular maintenance of Stadia
…As Dangote Group hands over Renovated MKO Abiola
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has pledged to ensure regular maintenance of stadia across the country in line with international best practice.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare made the pledge on Friday in Abuja at the formal hand over of the renovated main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from the Contractors to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
The Dangote Industries Group had in Aug. 2020 engaged Aron Nig Ltd for the renovation of the pitch under the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development “Adopt a Pitch” initiative.
Dare said the completion of the re-grassing of the pitch and installation of digital score-boards after some initial hiccups will indeed signal the return of international matches to the stadium.
He said as part of efforts to ensure adequate maintenance, Dangote Group has committed to the maintenance of the pitch for the next two years.
“By the words of the experts here and those that have toured the facility, we have the latest grass here – Paspalum grass, one of the best, when we talk about football pitches across the World.
“Something exactly similar to what we have in Qatar, that will be used for the World Cup next year.
“We thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote for opening his doors to us, and accepting to adopt the Moshood Abiola Stadium when we came up with our ‘Adopt-a-Pitch’ proposal.
We salute his commitment that culminated in the completion of the project today, inclusive of maintenance for at least two years,” Dare said.
The minister said work is also going round the clock to also ensure the timely completion of the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos.
He assured that the Federal Government will continue to work with the private sector to build and maintenance sporting facilities in the country.
Earlier, Mansur Ahmed, Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Industries Group said the project was part of it’s corporate social responsibility.
He said the vision of Alhaji Aliko Dangote remains partnering with government to upgrade sporting facilities to international standard in a bid to engage and arrest youth restiveness in the country.
“As we all know, Nigerian players are international but until now, we don’t have an international standard facility and our commitment is to work with the Ministry to make sure that this particular facility remains of international standard,” Ahmed said.
Sports
Nigeria Customs Service Embarks on Training Tour
Joel Ajayi
As part of preparations for the 2025 African Women’s Club Championship, the Nigeria Customs Service women’s volleyball team has embarked on a training tour in Benin Republic.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 14 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The team departed for Benin Republic on Wednesday.
The Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for approving the training tour.
He emphasised that the tour would allow the players and coaching crew to assess their level of preparedness for the upcoming championship.
Onikeku expressed confidence in the team’s potential to make a strong impression at the tournament, citing the support received from the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly through the First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
He said, “The volleyball team has traveled to Benin Republic for a 10-day training tour. The players have been in camp since February, and this tour will provide them with an opportunity to compete against teams outside the country.
“I want to appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for approving this training tour.
“During the training tour, Nigeria Customs Service will take on strong opponents from Benin Republic, Ghana and Togo.
“The support we received from Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, has been tremendous, and the team is committed to making the country proud.”
He said the service is determined to better their position after finishing fourth place in 2021.
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