The Federal Government, on
Tuesday, formally handed over
the management of the Nnamdi
Azikiwe Stadium to the Enugu
State Government.
Speaking during the handover
ceremony at the Government
House, Enugu, the representative
of the Federal Government and
Director General of the National
Sports Commission, NSC, Hon
Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the event
followed the approval
by President Goodluck Jonathan,
of an application to that effect
made by the Enugu State
Government.
He noted that the state had over
the years collaborated with
the Federal Government in
maintaining and rehabilitating
the stadium, adding that it made
huge financial investments in the
provision of vital facilities for the
successful hosting of the FIFA
U-17 World Cup in 2009.
“This act convinced the Federal
Government that the Enugu State
Government was capable of
maintaining the stadium in line
with approved international
standards”, he said.
Noting that Sports was a unifying
factor and a tool for
international diplomacy and
creation of wealth, he enjoined
other states in the country to
emulate the Enugu State example
in the development
and maintenance of sports
infrastructure.
He further commended
the reactivation of the
school sports by the State
Government.
This, he said, would greatly
enhance the discovery of talents
for the benefit of the country.
Responding on behalf of the
State Government, Governor
Chime expressed delight at the
return of the stadium to the State
assuring that it would be better
managed under the state
ministry of Sports and
Youth Development.
He said that his request for the
return of the stadium was
prompted by the decision of the
Federal Government to sell some
of the facilities there, adding that
this had created anxiety in the
State that the whole Stadium
could be sold to outsiders.
The Governor, therefore,
commended President Jonathan
for his prompt response to his
request and assured that the
stadium would not only be well
managed but would also be
open to and accessible to all and
sundry.
“All we are interested in is just to
promote sports. Take our
assurances on this to the Federal
Government and be rest assured
that the standard will go up
rather than go down”, Governor
Chime said.

Good one GEJ