The Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Mr Sunday Dare has assured that the new multi-billion Naira sports complex, which is being built by Sokoto state government, would be used by the federal government for national events, upon completion.
He stated this when he visited the Sokoto New City District, the location of the new sports complex, during his official visit to the state on Saturday.
According to the minister, the complex upon completion, would facilitate the grooming of young athletes that could compete and represent Nigeria in different national and international events.
Dare described the new sports facility as a legacy project that will serve the people of the state and future generations of the youth.
“With 68% of those involved in sports in the country being youths between the ages of 12-35, investing in such infrastructure is not only futuristic but a veritable avenue for earning huge revenue.
“In comparison to many of such stadia I have seen across the country, this one being constructed by Sokoto state government, is a very impressive investment that will not only benefit the state but also the federal government. The federal government will avail itself with opportunity of the facility and use it for future national and international events,” the Minister said.
Dare expressed satisfaction with the quality of the work and thanked the governor for investing not only in the provision of the facility but also in the youths in Sokoto, the northern states and the country in general.
Responding, governor Tambuwal said the idea of the project is premised on the importance of sporting activities that helps to improve the health of human beings and the imperative of job creation.
He also harped on the importance of sports in uniting people within the country and in the world, adding that so far, about N3.5 billion has been spent on the project.
According to him, “with 11,500-fan capacity stadium and an indoor sports hall that could hold 1000 people at a time, the facility will have administrative offices, nine badminton courts, three basketball courts, three tennis courts and one handball field.
“It will also have two squash courts, two aerobic halls, three gymnastics halls and one table tennis and pool hall, in addition to roasters, adequate conveniences, store and spectators rack.”
Other facilities that will be available are: a canteen, and adequate parking space as well as Taekwando and karate floors.
