From Attah Ede Makurdi

President of the Nigerian Football Federation Alhaji, Ibrahim Aliyu on Tuesday inspected the ongoing renovation of Aper Stadium, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where he decried high spate of substandard stadium in Nigeria.

Aliyu, who was taken round the facility in accompany of the  State Governor, Hyacinth  Alia by the contractor monishell Egbibe,  inspected the main bowl of the stadium, dressing rooms, media  centre, floodlights  and other facilities

Speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting the project, the NFF lamented that lack of stadia in Nigeria has prevented Nigeria from hosting international football games, saying that the Super Eagles of Nigeria lack a stadium to play grade A marches.

Alhaji Ibrahim explained that he was in the State to inspect the renovation of the Aper Aku stadium, hence the Nigeria football federation is seeking an alternative to the Uyo stadium.

He commended the Governor for investing hugely in reconstructing the Stadium, assuring that the Federation will provide the technical input to ensure that the facility is top notch.

Said he, “I am quite impressed when I heard that he awarded contract for the renovation of the Aper Aku Stadium, I felt very happy. You know what we are going through in terms of infrastructure in tht Country. For now we can only play grade A matches that is Super Eagles matches in Uyo and this has become a sense of worry and concern to the Football body and to Nigerians.

“A country like Nigeria to say that we only have one stadium to play grade A matches is not something to be happy about. The last time I came and I complained to the Governor about this development, the governor assured me that he was going to do something, which is what he is doing here today. I must say I am happy with what I have seen so far.

“We have put a technical person here who will be working hand in hand with the contractor to see that everything is going on fine so that in the nearest future, we may have an alternative and that alternative should be Makurdi for our matches.

“I want us to see that in the shortest possible time, we have an alternative to Uyo stadium. With the commitment of the Governor, I know it is going to be possible”.

Speaking on the donation of a trophy for the Governor’s Cup and another cup for the U-15 tournament, the NFF boss said this is part of his campaign promises to revive grassroot football across the nation.

“The only way to promote grassroot football is to organize U-15 tournaments and the Governor’s Cup across the country. It is the only way we can discover young talents which we have in abundance and we cannot discover them until we put them in a competitive mood. We do not want to see Lobi Stars always going out to look for players, let them source for the players here”, Gusau said.

On his part, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia thanked the NFF President for donating a trophy for the Governor’s Cup, just as he expressed satisfaction with the ongoing work at the Aper Aku Stadium.