Senator John Owan Enoh, has expressed is experience while going round Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday to assess condition of facilities.
Senator Enoh is the newly appointed Minister of Sports Development.
The minister, alongside the ministry’s permanent secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar were led by Director of Facilities and Stadium Management at the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Engr. Alanamu Abolore, as he inspected all packages of the stadium.
The director of facilities and stadium management, Engr. Alanamu Abolore who led the minister on the tour was categorical when he stunned the minister that the “MKO National Stadium may no longer host international matches due to her outdated and dilapidated facility. He pinpointed out that the flood light is outdated and may not function optimally during Grade A matches.
He specifically mentioned the pitch which is no longer at its best as needing urgent attention. Also needing repairs is the worn out tartan track, changing room and VIP section. Many of the facilities had leaking roof.
Blueprint can also report that weeds have taken over the once glorious National Stadium with reptiles and cow roaming the edifice unabated.
Apart from the main bowl, Enoh also visited the velodrome, facility building, athletes’ hostel, Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), Power Technical Building, as well as other facilities in the edifice.
Addressing newsmen during the tour, the minister stated that “we embarked on this tour because whatever one wants to do, we have to do it from a standpoint of knowledge, and that is what I am doing. Yesterday (Tuesday) was my first day at work and I had the opportunity to take reports and briefings from all the departments, after which I left the office at about 10pm. We are trying to be as systematic as we can, with the process.
“Facilities and infrastructures are a key component of sports, as they are variables that drive both elite performance and grassroots development.
“It is therefore very important that we get it right. We must maintain the current infrastructures that we have, and look towards making them better, to match what we have across the world.”
The minister stated that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium has the capacity to become one of the best multi-purpose stadium complexes in Africa, as he promised to give required attention to infrastructural development.
“Amidst the so much that I have seen here, the positives and the negatives, this stadium is a very definitive national monument. There is about nothing that you will find elsewhere, that you cannot find here,” he said. “However from 2003 till date, the facility has gone through a lot. The ministry under my leadership will do all that it can, to get every part of the stadium functional, including the athletes hostel, because athletes must have the best, to be the best.”
John Enoh also added that he will visit other facilities across the country, to assess their state and take definitive actions on their development.
During his tour, the minister visited the Referee assessors training session, who are in Abuja for a development programme. Speaking at the visit, the Minister encouraged referees to constantly update themselves with the new knowledge of the game, and make positive impacts on the domestic leagues in Nigeria.
“Over the years, referees in Nigeria have been heavily criticized over their performances in our leagues but I want to trust that we will build on the recent successes achieved and win the confidence of our people,” he stated.
John Enoh added that “Referees are critical stakeholders of the game, and we need them to be at their best at all times, for the growth of our football.”
The minister was received by the chairperson of the referees committee, Faith Irabor, who thanked him for his prompt visit.
Source: blueprints
