Sports

Sports Minister Hails Handover of National Stadium Pitch and Scoreboards

Published

2 years ago

December 19, 2023

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has expressed his delight with the completion of work and handing over of the rehabilitated pitch and scoreboards at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, by Dangote Group and Aron Nigeria Ltd on Tuesday.

The Minister commended the companies over the successful completion of the projects and called for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to further advance sports development in Nigeria.

The rehabilitation of the National Stadium facilities by Dangote Group and Aron Nigeria Ltd represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance sports infrastructure in the country. Senator Enoh applauded the commitment and resources invested by the Dangote Group, describing their involvement as a shining example of the positive outcomes achievable through collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector.

“As a country, we are indebted to Dangote Group for the huge resources it committed to the rehabilitation of the National Stadium. I look forward to more collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to develop sports in our country,” stated Senator Enoh.

The Minister urged the private sector to display greater interest and commitment to investing in sports, emphasizing the pivotal role sports play in shaping the destinies of millions of Nigerian youths. He noted that sports, beyond its recreational value, has become a significant business, and the Ministry of Sports Development is ready to engage in fruitful partnerships with the private sector to harness this potential.

Despite the significance of the handover, Senator Enoh highlighted a critical issue—the non-certification of the pitch at the National Stadium by CAF and FIFA, preventing Grade A matches from being played. He stated his determination to reverse this tide, emphasizing that the Ministry under his leadership would work diligently to ensure the pitch meets international standards. He stressed the importance of the national stadium in hosting Grade A matches, especially for the various National Teams of Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, lauded the partnership between the government and the private sector that led to the successful handover. He commended Dangote Group for its substantial rehabilitation efforts as part of its corporate social responsibility and called on other stakeholders to invest significantly in sports development.

Representatives of contractors, Aron Nigeria Ltd, Soji Adeniyi expressed satisfaction with the successful execution of the project. He commended Dangote Group for its sponsorship and timely payments, acknowledging the cooperation of the Ministry’s facility managers in completing the project.

Senator John Owan Enoh laid down a marker for the continued maintenance of the National Stadium beyond the handover, pledging that the Ministry of Sports Development would ensure the facilities remain in perfect condition.

In conclusion, the Minister of Sports Development reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to fostering a robust partnership between the government and the private sector, ensuring the continued growth and success of sports development in Nigeria.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Football Fever Hits Abuja as Montage FM 99.7 Launches Maiden Community Tournament November 18

Published

17 mins ago

November 4, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

In its determination to foster unity among communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), identify and promote raw football talent, encourage physical fitness and discipline, and tackle youth restiveness, Montage FM 99.7 Abuja has unveiled plans for the Maiden Edition of the Montage Community Football Tournament.

The highly anticipated grassroots competition, themed “Montage FM 99.7: Empowering Youth, Uniting Communities Through Football,” is set to kick off on November 18, 2025, with playoffs across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

The tournament will feature 24 teams, with four teams representing each Area Council, competing for a cash prize of over ₦2 million and other valuable rewards.

However, grand finale scheduled for December 7, 2025, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, where the top four teams will battle for first, second, and third place honors.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Cordinator of the Tournament Mr. Raphael Ekpang, described the tournament as a significant initiative aimed at using sports as a tool for unity, youth engagement, and talent discovery across the FCT.

According to him, I am honored to stand before you today to announce the upcoming Montage FCT Community Football Tournament a dynamic grassroots inter-community football competition that promises to unite communities and discover hidden talent across the six Area Councils in the FCT,” Ekpang said.

“This tournament is more than just football; it is a celebration of community spirit and youth empowerment. Our long-term goal is to expand beyond football to include other sports like basketball and athletics in future editions.”

Ekpang further noted that registration and awareness campaigns are currently underway across the six Area Councils, urging interested teams and individuals to participate.

“We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and partners who share our vision of promoting sports development and community engagement within the FCT. We also call on other organizations and individuals to join this noble cause,” he added.

The organizers emphasized that the Montage Community Football Tournament aligns with Montage FM 99.7’s mission to promote peace, unity, and positive engagement among youths while strengthening its brand presence as a youth-driven, community-focused platform.

They encouraged the public to follow updates and live coverage of the tournament through Montage FM 99.7 Abuja and its social media platforms

Share on Facebook