The new 18 seater Eket Sports stadium would serve as a rallying point to harness and develope the abundant raw sporting talents in the southern part of Akwa Ibom, an aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr Essien Ndueso has said.
He has also said that the facility which came out of the rubbles of the demolished old Eket sports stadium would relieve the God’s will Akpabio Stadium in Uyo of the burden of hosting many major sporting activities in the state.
Ndueso, who is the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation made this known when he conducted newsmen on a pre commissioning inspection of the edifice said the new stadium was an answer to the prayers of many sports enthusiasts and talents that abound in the area.
The SA 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.
” The governor had promised to ensure that he produces the crop of youths that will not only see sports as leisure but a serious business to earn a decent living. This stadium will expose our youths early to befitting Sporting facilities that will enhance their talents in readiness for the bigger competition.
‘”The new Stadium will also reinvigorate sporting competition among schools in the senatorial district with youths competing on high standard tartan tracks with suitable sports kits as the days youths run on sandy field with bare foots are gone.” Ndueso said.
The facilities at the new stadium he said are capable of attractiing international competitions while commercial activities around the area have increased.
‘Already as you can see, the arrival of the stadium have activated commerical activities around the entire area with the commencement of several businesses, building of new hotels and hospitality centers and moreso emergence of new network of roads because of the traffic of people and tourists to the area.
“The people of Eket are also very glad with Eket city remodeling project which have not only enhanced the estatics of the oil producing area but made it the second most outstanding city in the state outside the Uyo the state capital”. He concluded.
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.
The new stadium would be commissioned on Friday with Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Bello Masari expected as the special guest of honour before a friendly match between NPFL sides, Akwa United of Uyo and Katsina United of Katsina.
