From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Mahmud Hadejia, President of the African Beach Soccer Union (ABSU) and National Coordinator of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL), has praised the Kebbi State Government for allocating part of Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi for a modern beach soccer facility.
Hadejia, joined by experts, state government officials, and Kebbi Beach Soccer Association representatives, inspected the site ahead of construction. The planned world-class arena will feature a standard pitch, training pitch, spectator stands, dressing rooms, a parking lot, and a players’ hostel.
This development coincides with Kebbi State’s 10th anniversary of beach soccer. Speaking on the occasion, Hadejia said: “We are here to inspect the space that has been allocated to the Kebbi Beach Soccer Association purposely for beach soccer activities here at the Haliru Abdu Stadium by the Kebbi State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.”
“This is quite unique and interesting as Kebbi State celebrates its 10th year in beach soccer. I can remember clearly back in 2015 when we introduced the game here at Zauro Town with a local tournament. For some time now, we have been playing at the horse race course (Filin Sukuwa) within the state capital. The Government, in its magnanimity, decided that beach soccer should have a permanent site with standard facilities just like every other sport so that we can be hosting national and international competitions,” he added.
“Beach soccer hosting is not new to Kebbi State. I can recall two times we hosted the Nigeria Beach Soccer team (Super Sand Eagles) for camping and played friendly matches here in Kebbi State, and we hosted international clubs from Africa, and players from Europe have been to Kebbi. We only just recently hosted the first round of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League (NBSL).”
“I think it is about time that we have a standard beach soccer facility in Kebbi just like in other places. If you go to Kaduna, where we held the Super Four Finals of the league last season in 2024, it is a standard facility at the Murtala Muhammed Square, which even hosted the Nigeria versus Mauritania CAF Beach Soccer African Cup Qualifiers.”
“If we can have these facilities across the country, then it goes to show that we are really progressing not just on the pitch of play but in terms of building facilities. Thank God, the Government of His Excellency Dr Nasir Idris has a lot of foresight for them to say it is about time to have a beach soccer facility, and we are very grateful and express lots of gratitude to the Governor for his support and foresight. The Governor is a unique sports lover and an active badminton player so he clearly understands the importance of having such sporting facilities.”
Hadejia noted that Kebbi has become a hub for beach soccer in Nigeria, regularly hosting the NBSL since its start in 2021 and other events since 2015. With two state teams in the national league, he expects more local clubs to emerge.
“The encouragement is now having a facility that everyone across Kebbi State can come and utilise,” he said.
“I must give kudos to the youths in Kebbi because they have keyed into the beach soccer project since we started in 2015, and they have seen the benefits and value because back then, when we were starting, they were not sure if they were playing football or other sports. The game was very new, but when they saw their colleagues and teammates flying on Emirates airline to travel to Turkey and Italy to represent Kebbi State at the World Cup, they told themselves that they needed to key in.”
“Right now, we have two teams from Kebbi. Kebbi Fishers Beach Soccer Club, the number one team in Africa for six years now since 2019 and also our new team, Kebbi United Beach Soccer. I think they are doing well and expecting more teams going forward in Kebbi. What is important now is to celebrate this 10th year anniversary with a standard and brand new facility for the youths to utilise and enjoy.”