Kebbi Gov Inaugurates FIFA Stadium For Development Of Football

The Kebbi State Governor, Comerade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu this Friday inaugurated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)/FIFA FAP Stadium Project constructed in Birnin Kebbi for the deployment of football in the State .

At the inaugural ceremony of the project at Goru in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, the governor said the stadium would encourage and motivate the youths in the game of soccer.

According to the Press Statement signed by YAHAYA SARKI, Special Adviser (SA) to Kebbi State Governor on Media and Publicity.

The governor, who was represented by the Kebbi State Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba-Bena described the project as a vital one that would not only enhance sporting activities amongst the youth but would also go a long way in reducing idealness in youths.

He averred “We need to engage our youths in useful ventures to keep them busy, healthy and relevant to our societal needs.

“The present administration under my able leadership is paying serious attention to sports development, this is evident in the revival of annual sports festival. Additionally, in line with our desire to promote sports and sporting activities, this government will continue to support clubs and associations to excel.

“We shall continue supporting Kebbi United Football Club and Beach Soccer Club to enable them compete favourably with other clubs not only in Nigeria but around the globe,” he noted.

He explained that the state government was aware that the stadium project “is a FIFA/NFF project aimed at grassroots soccer development constructed at the cost of $1,183,000, while the Kebbi State Government provided the four hectares of land and paid compensation to the tune of N19,000,000 to land owners.”

He expressed appreciation to Dr. Sanusi Muhammad, the Secretary General of the NFF, who facilitated the citing of the project in Kebbi State as well as Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan, Member of the NFF executive committee for their role in making the project a reality.

Also speaking, the FIFA representative, Mr Solomon Mudege and Head of Development Programmes – Africa FIFA, said the edifice would continue to serve both male and female footballers in the state.

He said: “We are proud of this project and this means that, people will have their own football facility that they can use locally for their matches. It is a dream come to true and a positive development to sporting activities in the state.”