By Zakariyya Aliyu Gwaram
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri received the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, and other prominent football officials during a visit to Yola.
The visit highlighted the ongoing construction of a new stadium in the state, which is expected to elevate Adamawa’s status in the national and international sports arena.
During the visit, NFF President Gusau praised the resilience of Governor Fintiri in developing football from the grassroots despite challenges.
He noted that the construction of the stadium in Adamawa is commendable and worthy of recognition, especially as only the Uyo International Stadium currently meets the standards for hosting international matches.
Gusau assured that the NFF is committed to supporting the governor’s efforts and will organize international matches to honor the state’s commitment to sports development.
He emphasized that sports play a critical role in diverting the attention of youths away from vices and fostering a healthier society.
The NFF President also revealed that three Adamawa indigenes serve in his cabinet, highlighting the state’s contributions to national football.
In his remarks, Governor Fintiri expressed his honor in hosting the NFF President and reiterated the importance of the new stadium.
He noted that since the days of Gongola State, Adamawa has lacked a standard stadium, making the current construction project even more significant.
The governor emphasized that the stadium would not only boost the state’s athletes on a global scale but also serve as a tool to fight poverty by providing meaningful opportunities for the youth.
Governor Fintiri assured that the stadium would feature state-of-the-art facilities, further inspiring homegrown footballers to excel.
He also expressed confidence that the stadium would be completed by March next year, as promised by the contractors.
In a call to action, the governor urged all levels of government to invest more in sports infrastructure, noting that the lack of such facilities is a major factor behind Nigeria’s underperformance at the Olympics.
He stressed that with the right support, Adamawa could lead the sports industry in Northern Nigeria.
The visit concluded with Gusau urging Governor Fintiri to consider organizing a Governor’s Cup once the stadium is completed, a move that would further solidify Adamawa’s role in advancing Nigerian sports.
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