By Myke Uzendu, Sokoto
Minister of Youth and Sport Development Sunday Dare has assured the Sokoto State government that the Federal government will recommend the Sports City complex being built the governor for international competitions.
Dare said that the government will put forward the facility for necessary accreditation for international competitions.
The Minister who praised Sokoto State governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal for building one of the largest indoor sports complex in the country said that when completed the facility should be able to turn into a major revenue earner for the state and venue for international competitions.
The Minister said this on Friday in Sokoto when he paid a visit to the 11,000 capacity mainball football stadium and 2,000 capacity indoor sports complex which is part of the sports city complex under construction by the Tambuwal administration.
Speaking to journalists after an inspection of the sports city the Minister who was accompanied by the state governor and members of his cabinet expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at the complex.
“I’ve seen quite a number of stadia since I became minister but for a state to be investing in such a sporting complex is impressive. I have seen the indoor sports hall or multipurpose. One of the biggest if not the biggest, I’ve seen. Even the one federal government has is not of the size and capacity.
I’ve seen the multisports capacity of the stadium 11,000 which is impressive. I have seen the engineering and the brick and water work being done here. All I want to say is to thank the governor for investing not just in sports, but also in the youth of Sokoto State, the northern states and also the country.
“68% of those involved in sports in our country are between the ages of 12 to 35, So when you invest in infrastructure like this you invest in the present and the future” the Minister stated.
Throwing more light on how the Federal government can assist the state to ensure that the project becomes a world-class sporting edifice, the Minister continued,
“There are different levels of collaboration. With what I’ve seen the federal government could comfortably puts the stadium forward to get certified to host both continental and international games. As we speak there’s volleyball of under 15 competition taking place. What we have seen here meets international standards The federal government will put this as one of the sporting infrastructure that will be recommended for international events.
“We have similar one in Edo state, we have the one in Lagos We’re glad that Abuja is back on stream and when you look at it we need so many more for a country of our size 220 million for we have reputation as a sporting nation. The Number of sporting infrastructure we have is just less than 20 per cent of what we need.
“This facility is going to be used for years to come. It will not just serve the people of Sokoto State, it will serve different generations of our youth that will come from this state and the north east.
“Young athletes that will compete and represent Nigeria and be part of our team to Commonwealth Games, all African games to the Olympics and international festival.. I suppose first, some of those outlets will come here. so without good facilities an athlete cannot perform or get the best out”.
The Minister pledged that the Federal government will not relent to put forward the sporting facility to the world.
