Nasarawa State To Establish Sports Academy In Akwanga, Says Commissioner
By Amina Mohammed, Lafia.
The Nasarawa State Government says it would establish a Sports Academy in Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) to boost sporting activities in the state.
The State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Lucky Yargwa, stated this during a press conference with journalists to mark Governor Abdullahi Sule’s three-year anniversary in office.
“We have gone to evaluate situations in the Academy and we discovered that the facilities are obsolete,” Commissioner Yargwa said. “We are glad to say that the Governor has given us express approval to turn around situations at the Academy.”
“On the issue of Keffi stadium, it is under renovation and ready to host both national and international tournaments.”
According to him, the State was also rehabilitating and refurbishing the Lafia City Stadium with state of the art facilities to meet up with world standards.
“So far the work is still ongoing despite the fact that the work is not moving the way we want due to the way the contractor is handling it, but I can assure you that before the end of July 2022 we are going to be through with the work,” Yargwa added.
“The Stadium renovation includes the building of a modern Hockey pitch and also upgrading our volleyball and basketball courts. We are also working towards establishing zonal stadiums, but some of these projects have to be captured in the budget.”
“By 2023, we will have another Stadium in Akwanga.”
The Commissioner further stated that government was elated with the performance of the Nasarawa Amazons at the just concluded 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Women’s League. They finished top of Group A with 27 points ahead of Edo Queens with 26 points, thereby qualifying for the Super Six tournament where they finished second.
Commissioner Yargwa appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule for investing hugely in Youth and Sports Development, saying his administration has developed the capacities of the youths in skills acquisition programmes and sporting activities for the overall good of the society.
The Commissioner assured that the Ministry would continue to work in line with the economic development goal of the Sule led administration in order to support government’s plans and programmes aimed at uplifting the youths of the state.
“With the achievements of His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule , the Governor deserves not only commendation but to be re-elected for second term,” Yargwa said. “I want to use this period of his three-year anniversary in the state to call on the youths to continue to support his government.”
“While we wish the Sule Administration a happy 3rd anniversary celebration, it’s our earnest hope and prayer that it continues to impact more meaningfully on the welfare of the citizens and State in general.”
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