Kwara State government has commissioned Reform Sports West Africa, a sports Facility Construction Firm, to maintain the Kwara State Stadium Complex to the required standard, especially ahead of the forthcoming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
Equally, government has approved the upgrading of the Olofa Stadium in Offa, with the installation of synthetic grass at the edifice, and provision of new stands, dressing rooms, referees changing rooms, media tribune and other facilities that will qualify it to host Grade A matches.
Briefing journalists this evening at the Conference Room of the Kwara State Football Association, the Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji explained that the state government is determined to have a FIFA standard football pitch across the three Senatorial districts to lessen the pressure on the existing stadium in Ilorin.
It would be recalled that the LMC, in a letter to Kwara United Football Club, dated December 9th, and signed by the body’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Salihu Abubakar did not grant approval for the Kwara State Stadium Complex to host matches of the NPFL for the 2021/2022 season until the synthetic pitch is replaced.
Mallam Magaji, while commending the state Governor, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq for listening to the yearnings and aspirations of football lovers, believed that the contractors engaged to handle the project will deliver on time and according to specifications
The CEO of Reform Sports West Africa, the firm handling the projects, Mike Adamu said that maintenance process had already started in some parts of the Main-Bowl, noting that all areas identified by the League Management Company (LMC) that needs been attended to will be put to proper shape ahead of the commencement of the 2021/2022 league season.
Mike Adamu stressed that his outfit, which has been in Nigeria for over 15 years had successfully handled projects at stadiums in Bauchi, Adamasingba in Oyo state, Enugu and other states, with support from it’s technical team in Turkey.
He maintained that work will start at Olofa Stadium on December 27th this year, and would take his outfit up to between 12 to 15 weeks to complete and deliver.
Also speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of the Kwara FA, Mallam Idris Abdullah Musa pledged that the FA will ensure the Kwara State Stadium meets the conditions of the LMC, hoping that the venue will be approved before the kick-off of the league, as efforts will be intesified to invite LMC officials for re-assessment of the stadium before the league opener.
Kwara state government had earlier, while clarifying that provisions have been made in the 2022 budget for the replacement of the synthetic pitch ordered that the pitch be maintained, ahead of it’s replacement, and the Offa stadium upgraded as ready alternative.
In a follow up to this, a team led by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Mallam Bola Mogaji, State FA Chairman, Mallam Idris Abdullahi Musa, the General Manager of Kwara United FC and the team of Reform Sports West Africa visited Offa, where they met the Olofa of Offa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Oloyede Okikiola Esuwoye II, and the TIC Chairman of the Local Government Area, Jare Olatundun, and also inspected the Olofa Stadium.
The Executive Chairman of the Commission briefed the Olofa and the TIC Chairman of government’s plan to upgrade the Olofa Stadium, especially the installation of synthetic grass.
At the Palace, the Olofa thanked the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the opportunity, even as he sought for the inclussion of a training pitch among the packages.
At the Stadium, the TIC Chairman, Jare Olatundun also thanked the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the consideration, adding that it will open new windows of opportunities for Offa and Kwara State.
