Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has pledged to continue his efforts aimed at making sports development one of his topmost priorities with a vision to makijg the state a major player in sporting activities at the continental and global stage.
Governor Otti made the pledge while playing host to a delegation of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, led by its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau earlier today.
He disclosed that plans have been concluded for the upgrade of the Umuahia Township Stadium to ensure that it becomes suitable for use by Abia Warriors Football Club Umuahia and other teams, as a short term solution.
According to the Governor “On the issue of the stadium, the Umuahia Township Stadium, not too long ago, I had given approval to upgrade the place and make the place what a stadium should look like.
“In the immediate term, we are going to upgrade it and make it a standard township stadium. We’ll do the futuristic one as time goes on.
“But that is a short-term solution we are trying to put in place. We have a long-term solution, which is the Abia Stadium City.
“The land for which has been acquired and work is going on right now with the design. It’s not just a stadium, but it’s going to be a stadium city. It’s a complex.
“We’re going to have even an entertainment village at the back of the stadium city. We’ll have plazas, we’ll have a conference centre, we’ll have residential apartment” the Governor assured.
The Abia chief executive maintained that the upgrade is in the immediate term, disclosing that the architectural design for the building of a stadium city in Umuahia which will provide long term solution to the problem militating against sporting activities is in progress.
Governor Otti described football in particular and sports in general as a uniting factor, adding that governance and leadership is all about impacting on the people positively.
He acknowledged the support his administration has been receiving from the NFF, assuring that his Government would sustain its support to the body.
While congratulating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the recent performance of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, the Governor assured that he would do his best to ensure that Abia remains on top in various sporting activities.
Earlier in his speech, the President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau disclosed that their visit was to congratulate Governor Otti over his support for sports development in the State, describing Abia as the home of football in Nigeria.
He recalled the continental back-to-back victories recorded by the state in recent past, insisting thaf the history of sports in Nigeria cannot be complete without a mention of the state.
While commending the feat achieved by Abia Warriors football Club under Governor Otti’s watch, which saw them emerge as one of the top three clubs in Nigeria, the NFF Boss requested the fixing of the Umuahia township stadium, with a promise to provide the needed technical support to ensure the stadium bounces back.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, the Chairman Abia Warriors Football club Mr John Obuh and other relevant stakeholders were present during the visit.
Ferdinand Ekeoma
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Media and Publicity)
July 30, 2025.
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