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From Scholastica Hir Makurdi
The President of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has said that the Aper Aku stadium Makurdi, Benue State, would be fit as an alternative to Uyo Stadium for Super Eagle’s matches.
He stated this in Makurdi on Tuesday when he inspected the ongoing work on the stadium in company of the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia and other officials of the state government and NFF.
Gusau expressed satisfaction with the level of progress already achieved so far saying there was need to have other stadia that would serve as alternatives to the one in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
The NFF President who lamented the lack of stadia in the country for the Super Eagles to play grade A matches said the federation is seeking alternative to the Uyo stadium.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for investing in reconstructing the Stadium, assuring that the Federation would provide the technical input to ensure that the facility is top notch.
He said “I am quite impressed when I heard that he awarded contract for the renovation of the Aper Aku Stadium, I felt very happy. You know what we are going through in terms of infrastructure in the country. For now we can only play grade A matches that is Super Eagles matches in Uyo and this has become a sense of worry and concern to the Football body and to Nigerians.
“A country like Nigeria to say that we only have one stadium to play grade A matches is not something to be happy about. When last time I complained to the Governor about this and he listened and is doing what he is doing here, I must say am happy with what I have seen.
“We have put technical person here who will be working hand in hand with the contractor to see that everything is going on fine so that in the nearest future we may have an alternative and that alternative should be Makurdi for our matches.
“I want us to see that in shortest possible time, we have an alternative to Uyo stadium. With the commitment of the Governor, I know it is going to be possible”.
Speaking on the donation of trophy for the Governor’s Cup and another cup for U-15 tournament, the NFF boss said it was part of his campaign promises to revive grassroot football across the country.
“The only way to promote grassroots football is to organize U-15 tournaments and the Governor’s Cup across the country. It is the only way we can discover young talents which we have in abundance and we cannot discover them until we put them in a competitive mood.
He said “We do not want to see Lobi Stars always going out to look for players, let them source for the players here.”
Speaking, Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia appreciated the NFF President for donating a trophy for the Governor’s Cup and alao expressed satisfaction with ongoing work at the Aper Aku Stadium
“We had already made pronouncement to reinvent the Governor’s cup, work has already begun and am excited that the NFF President has donated a cup to us as well as the U-15 trophy. Benue has the DNA for football. His encouragement to us is an enthusiasm to achieve.
“We have produced so many talents so the question remains, why are we laid back. For reinventing this and giving us a push from high up is something very ideal and welcoming. Am so satisfied and quite fulfilled to see them come and monitor to see how things are going and ensure we keep to the standard that is required and that is what we are going to do.
“As I speak to you, I see something smelling and I want to grab it and bring it back to Benue. So, am confident the contractor is still within his time limit and will deliver”, Alia said.
