The world football governing body, FIFA as part of its
developmental projects in member countries around the globe, has started the
construction of a befitting hostel for the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons.
The Hostel project is costing FIFA the sum of
$6million dollars (about N9 billion) and is expected to be completed within two
years.
The project which is located at the Package ‘B’ of
Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja will also have two new training
pitches, one synthetic and the other a natural grass for the players.
Speaking at the occasion, president of the Nigeria
Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau described the construction of
the hostel as his legacy project which he conceptualized from his first day in
office.
Gusau who spoke during the ground-breaking ceremony of
the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel &New Training Pitches said the vision behind
the proposed hostel is to free the NFF of the humongous expenses it usually
incurred in accommodating the different national teams.
He said once completed, the Federation will direct the
huge amount spent on players accommodations on other critical areas, such as
nurturing local football talent and bolstering the overall infrastructure of
Nigerian football.
“At only the second meeting of the Executive Committee
chaired by me, the proposal was tabled to my colleagues, and the board
unanimously endorsed the proposal that the residual funds from the FIFA Forward
2:0 and the proposed funds from the incipient FIFA Forward 3:0 be utilized for
the construction of two football pitches (one natural turf and one synthetic
turf) for use by the teams at the Goal Project section of Package ‘B’ of the
MKO Abiola National Stadium “.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the
National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko said the project is a
dream come true for him.
Dikko who recalled his efforts in attracting the first
FIFA Goal Project in Nigeria in 2003 further revealed that then as the project
consultant, he worked for the approval of the land for the location of the FIFA
projects.
“I’m happy that what we started long ago is coming is
coming to fruition. I congratulate the NFF for being intentional in getting the
hostel built and I am happy that the project is coming at the right time
because we now have a new thinking in sports”.
Dikko added that the country needs more pitches and
event centers. The project is in line with that new thinking, adding that it’s
the first time the country is having a clear investment plan for sports.
Earlier in his address, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas who unavailed the groundbreaking ceremony,
said the occasion is a historic one for the country’s sports.
“History is about to be made. For the first time, the
sports sector will get a big boost from FIFA and other stakeholders through the
intervention of the sports ministry of the NSC and the NFF were able to
facilitate this very important project.
“It is a project that will have far-reaching effects
for the sports development of this country in terms of expectations, saving
cost, revenue and at the same time enhance efficiency.
“I want to categorically make it clear that the
National Assembly, particularly, the House of Representatives, is very happy
with this initiative, the project and we will collaborate in ensuring that the
project is completed in good time. We are ready to give all the additional
support required to ensure that funds are released ask and when due”.
The speaker also gave his commitment that the House is
ready to look at other areas that are not captured by the initiative to give
its support to sports development.
Comments:
Leave a Reply