It is indeed heartwarming and good tidings to the sports industry in Kwara state for the approval of the renovation and upgrading of the Indoor Sports Hall of the State Stadium Complex by the state government.
The edifice, which was constructed in 1977 by the then Military Governor of the state, Brigadier George Innih was then and decades after, one of the best in Nigeria and in the West Africa Sub-Region for its ability to host about 25 sporting events.
The Indoor Sports Hall used to be a center of attraction for indoor games in the country and the pride of Kwara in those days.
It has hosted a lot of national and international games and attracted camping for national athletes preparing for international meets.
But all these are a thing of the past as the edifice is now a shadow of what it used to be, and that was why this development will come as a benchmark achievement by the present administration as it turn things around to rejuvenate the edifice which has suffered a lot of abuse and miss-use over the years.
Past governments in the state failed to see the need for continuous rehabilitation and upgrading of the edifice for it to maintain its purpose to the fullest except in 1991, when the state hosted the World Military Games.
The edifice, which is now a shadow of what it used to be has been an eye saw over the last three decades begging for attention and this remarkable step by the present administration will indeed be a landmark in the history of the sports in the state.
Reacting to the development, the number one Sports Administrator in the state and Executive Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Mallam Bolakale Adisa Magaji hailed the ingenuity of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the development.
Magaji, reflecting on Governor AbdulRasaq’s contributions to sports development since assuming office, described him as a man of vision and mission particularly in the sports industry.
He noted that the Governor, for what he is doing in the sports sector now, is creating a legacy for what he will be remembered for, for a long time to come.
Renovating and upgrading the edifice, which has long been abandoned will be a thing of great joy to sports men and women as the state will benefit a lot by the time the work is completed, he further noted.
When completed, it will be of advantage to the state as it will attract local and international competitions which in turn enhances sports development and boost the commercial viability of the Stadium Complex”, he explained.
Magaji reflected on the Governor’s contributions in terms of building and renovation of facilities since assuming office, which amongst others included the renovation of the swimming pool and the record breaking construction of eight glass-back squash courts, one of its kind on the continent.
He thanked the Governor for the development and the good things he has been doing in the sports sector, so far.
*Written by Feruke Yusuf, the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Sports Commission
