The Kwara Government has engaged Reform Sports West Africa, a sports Facility Construction Firm, to maintain the State Stadium Complex to the required standard, especially ahead of the forthcoming 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
Equally, the government approved the upgrading of the Olofa Stadium in Offa, with the installation of synthetic grass at the edifice, and provision of new stands, dressing rooms, referees changing rooms, media tribune and other facilities that will qualify it to host Grade A matches.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday at the Conference Room of the Kwara Football Association, the Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, explained that the state government was determined to have a FIFA standard football pitch across the three Senatorial districts to lessen the pressure on the existing stadium in Ilorin.
It would be recalled that the LMC, in a letter to Kwara United Football Club, dated Dec. 9, and signed by the body’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salihu Abubakar, did not grant approval for the Kwara Stadium Complex to host matches of the NPFL for the 2021/2022 season until the synthetic pitch was replaced.
Mogaji, while commending Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq for listening to the yearnings and aspirations of football lovers, believed that the contractors engaged to handle the project will deliver on time and according to specifications.
The CEO of Reform Sports West Africa, the firm handling the projects, Mike Adamu, said that maintenance process had already started in some parts of the Main-Bowl, noting that all areas identified by the League Management Company (LMC) that needs been attended to will be put to proper shape ahead of the commencement of the 2021/2022 league season.
Mike Adamu stressed that his outfit, which has been in Nigeria for over 15 years, had successfully handled projects at stadiums in Bauchi, Adamasingba in Oyo State, Enugu and other states, with support from its technical team in Turkey.
He assured that work would start at the Olofa Stadium on Dec. 27, to last for 12 to 15 weeks to complete and deliver.
Also speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of the Kwara FA, Mallam Idris Musa, pledged that the association would ensure the Kwara Stadium met the conditions of the LMC.
He expressed optimism that the venue would be approved before the kick-off of the league, as efforts would be intesified to invite LMC officials for re-assessment of the stadium before the league opener.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Kwara government had earlier, while clarifying that provisions have been made in the 2022 budget for the replacement of the synthetic pitch, ordered that the pitch be maintained ahead of its replacement and the Offa stadium upgraded as ready alternative.
In a follow up to this, a team led by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji; State FA Chairman, Mallam Idris Musa, the General Manager of Kwara United FC and the team of Reform Sports West Africa visited Offa.
In Offa, they met the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, and the TIC Chairman of the Local Government Council, Jare Olatundun, and also inspected the Olofa Stadium.
The Executive Chairman of the Commission briefed the Olofa and the TIC Chairman of government’s plan to upgrade the Olofa Stadium, especially the installation of synthetic grass.
At the Palace, the Olofa thanked the governor for the opportunity, even as he sought for the inclusion of a training pitch among the packages.
At the Stadium, the TIC Chairman, Jare Olatundun also commended the AbdulRazaq for the consideration, adding that it will open new windows of opportunities for Offa and Kwara at large. (NAN)
