Soil test by engineers for the site of Abia State’s proposed 35,000 FIFA- approved stadium is at advanced stage.
Commissioner for Sports Sir Obilor Ananaba who disclosed this during a press briefing Tuesday in Umuahia said three different locations had been pencilled down for the project, but refused to disclose the locations.
He said Governor Alex Otti, in his quest to develop sports, had resolved to build a standard stadium in the state according to FIFA specifications.
Obilor who decried the lack of FIFA-approved stadiums in Nigeria, said Otti was determined to put Abia on the map of states with standard stadium like Akwa Ibom.
This is as the Commissioner gave reasons for the resurrection of school games in the state, saying it is aimed at fishing out young talents for development.
He said that the First edition of Unity Games for all secondary schools in the state would begin on Friday, March 22nd at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
The Commissioner who described sports as a very lucrative career, said Otti’s administration was determined to assist Abians talented in different sporting events to fully sctualise their potentials .
”Our aim is to revive school games in the state to enable us identify our children who manifest excellence, so we can catch them young.”
He said that plans were under way to build a sports college in the state where students would go for six-month exchange programme in Europe.
According to the Commissioner who said he had been involved in scouting for soccer talents before his appointment, some foreign scouts will be in the state to fish for talented athlets during the games.
He commended Gov. Otti for his massive support for sports development especially for upgrading sports facilities in the state.
Contributing, Director of Sports Comrade Obioma George said over 850 secondary schools across the state would be participating in the mundial.
He said the participating schools had already qualified in their various Local Government Areas.
The Director of Sports said 24 different sports would be competed for during the event, adding that winners would be handsomely rewarded to encourage excellence.
He disclosed that the Sports Council had received truck loads of various sporting equipment courtesy of the state government.