Isaac Benjamin, President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), has commended Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State for the ongoing upgrade of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
Benjamin gave the commendation in Kaduna on Monday, when he paid an unscheduled visit to the stadium to assess the ongoing renovation project.
He described the project as another “demonstration of the administration’s commitment to sports development and youth empowerment”.
He said the ongoing renovation and upgrade of facilities at the iconic stadium had rekindled hope among athletes, sports administrators, coaches and football enthusiasts in the state.
“This is proof that the state is steadily reclaiming its position as one of the country’s leading sporting destinations.
“The quality of work being carried out at the stadium reflected the governor’s determination to provide world-class sporting infrastructure,” he said.
The SWAN president said that when completed, the stadium would be capable of hosting both national and international competitions, while creating an enabling environment for the discovery and nurturing of young talents.
He pointed out that for decades, the stadium had remained one of the country’s most historic sporting facilities, producing several athletes that went on to represent Nigeria with distinction in various international competitions.
According to him, the ongoing rehabilitation will not only restore the stadium to its former glory but also stimulate economic activities through sports tourism and create employment opportunities for youths.
“The ongoing work at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium is highly commendable. It is evident that the governor is committed to restoring the lost glory of sports in Kaduna state.
“The quality of work we have seen speaks volumes about the seriousness attached to the project.
“Sports remains one of the strongest platforms for youth engagement, peace-building and economic empowerment.”
The SWAN boss said by investing in modern sporting facilities, the governor was investing in the future of thousands of young people across Kaduna State.
He appealed to stakeholders in the sports sector, corporate organisations and development partners to support the Kaduna State government’s vision of revitalising sports and empowering young talents.
He reaffirmed his readiness to continue to promote initiatives that advance sports development and pledged to partner with the government in highlighting programmes that could contribute to the growth of sports in the state and the country.