Kebbi state gets new Stadium from FIFA

naira sports16 December 20231 Mins read

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have inaugurated a $1.19 million mini-stadium to promote grassroots football development in Kebbi State, North-Western Nigeria.

Kebbi State remains one of Nigeria’s most remote parts, and FIFA, through its FIFA Forward programme, aims to give kids a chance to play football in a top-class stadium. The project’s foundation on Kalgo Road in Birnin Kebbi was laid in September 2020 by former Governor Atiku Bagudu, supported by NFF.

While inaugurating the stadium on Friday, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris emphasised the need to engage youths in beneficial ventures to keep them healthy and relevant to society. He said that his administration is considering the revival of the Annual Sports Festival and would continue to support clubs and associations to excel.

Safiyanu Garba-Bena, the Head of Service (HoS), represented Idris. He thanked the General Secretary of NFF, Sanusi Muhammad, who facilitated the citing of the project in collaboration with NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and the Chairman of the state Football Association, Abubakar Chika-Ladan, for their efforts.

He appealed to the State Football Association and NFF to make the State a centre for the National Football League to develop football talents. The governor assured his administration’s readiness to assist and partner in the development of football and every other sport in the State.

Earlier, the Head of Department, Programmes Africa FIFA, Solomon Mudege, assured of FIFA’s commitment to invest in the country’s male and female football development.
Also speaking, NFF President Gusau identified the lack of facilities as one of the challenges hindering youth sports development in the country.

“We are going to do more to increase the facilities for the stadium to be of standard than it now,” Gusau said.

“We are not going to let the youth down, and I urge them to come back to help others coming up if they have the opportunities outside the country.”

The NFF president thanked Bagudu and Idris for their efforts in developing football in the State and ensuring the completion of the project.

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