By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Youths and Sports Mr Monday Ukoh has expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the new 18,000 seater Eket sports stadium billed to be commissioned on Friday.
He has also said that the stadium would serve as a rallying point to harness and develope the abundant raw sporting talents in the state.
Ukoh who stated this while conducting sports journalists on a pre commissioning inspection of the facility commended the indegenous contractors and their supervisors for repaying the confidence reposed on them by the state government.
The commissioner said that the facility which came out of the rubbles of the demolished old Eket sports stadium would relieve the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo of the burden of hosting many major sporting activities in the state.
Ukoh who commended the Governor for his efforts in sports development in the state was of the opinion that the mordern facilities at the stadium would bring the much needed exposure to budding athletes but would also help to improve their performance.
He added that it would also provide an alternative match venue to the many professional football clubs in the state plying their trade in the Nigerian Professional Football League and the Nigerian National League.
Meanwhile contractors who handled the construction of the stadium have expressed satisfaction with the work they have done but advised that a strategic maintenance plan be adopted.
Three of the supervising Engineers, Engr Bassey Akpan, Engr Oku Akpabio and Dr Jimmy Wilson in their submission said the appropriate technical tests and processes were conducted and followed while the facility would stand the test of time.
Our correspondent reports that the new stadium has the most modern astroturf pitch, floodlights, an eight lane tartan running track, four all covered stands with 18,000 plastic seats, VIP section, media section, electronic score board, spacious parking space, inbuilt offices, meeting rooms, inbuilt shops, spacious parking space and provision for further expansion.
It would be commissioned on Friday with Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, expected as the special guest of honour before a friendly match between NPFL sides, Akwa United of Uyo and Katsina United of Katsina.
