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Tag: Stadium

  • Portugal approves 9 stadiums for league restart

    Portugal approves 9 stadiums for league restart

    Nine stadiums have passed inspections and been declared ready to host matches when the Portuguese league restarts after the coronavirus stoppage, the league said on Wednesday.

    A further six need improvements and would be subjected to a second inspection by the government’s DGS health directorate, the league added.

    The home grounds of Vitoria Guimaraes, Tondela, Porto, Sporting, Benfica, Maritimo, Braga and Portimonense were given the green light.

    They were approved along with the national team training centre in Lisbon which will also be used for some matches.

    The DGS said there would have to be “a number of corrections” to the stadiums of Vitoria Setubal, Boavista, Desportivo das Aves, Rio Ave, Gil Vicente and Pacos de Ferreira.

    The four other teams in the 18-club league did not put their grounds up for inspection.

    The DGS has said that the minimum possible number of stadiums should be used.

    But this could prove a stumbling block as several clubs have already complained about not being able to play at their home stadiums.

    Ten rounds of matches will have to be played between June 4 and July 26.

    They will help to complete the season which has turned into a two-horse race between Porto, who lead with 60 points, and Benfica, who are one point behind.

  • Coronavirus: Liverpool may win first title in 30 years in empty stadium – Virgil Van Dijk

    Coronavirus: Liverpool may win first title in 30 years in empty stadium – Virgil Van Dijk

    Dutch professional footballer and Liverpool defender, Virgil Van Dijk has expressed his concern that the club will be forced to celebrate their first English title for 30 years in an empty stadium due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

    All Premier League games have been postponed until at least April 3 due to the spread of the global pandemic.

    According to BBC, Premier League chiefs are set to meet on Thursday to discuss if it will be possible to continue the season and, if so, in what format.

    Games could be played behind closed doors, which would mean Liverpool, who are 25 points clear of second placed Manchester City, winning the title without their fans being present.

    “No one wants to play games without the fans,” Van Dijk told several British newspapers on Sunday.

    “If we won it in an empty stadium and the fans weren’t there, I’d be gutted for them. Obviously, if there are no fans at Anfield, then it will be a bit of a blow.

    “Until a decision is made on how we go on from here, then we just have to deal with it. But when it happens, we are still bringing the title to our fans, definitely.”

    Liverpool could have wrapped up the title on Monday with a win at Everton if Manchester City were beaten by Burnley on Saturday, but both those games were postponed, along with the rest of the Premier League programme.

    Some have suggested the season should be scrapped for safety reasons, which would leave Premier League chiefs to decide if Liverpool should be given the title even though the campaign did not reach its scheduled 38-game conclusion.

    Sport is expected to be subjected to further restrictions next week, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly ready to announce a ban on major public gatherings.

  • Just in:Sanwo-Olu renames Onikan Stadium after Mobolaji Johnson

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday renamed the popular Onikan Stadium after the first Military Administrator of Lagos, Brigadier Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson.

    Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at the Day of Tribute for the late Johnson at the newly reconstructed Onikan Stadium said the stadium would now be known as ‘Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson Stadium’ in honour of the deceased.

    Sanwo-Olu had extolled the virtues of Johnson, describing him as a distinguished man and a great patriot and an accomplished administrator who re-engineered the modern Lagos.

    He said Johnson, though a soldier, was never authoritarian and never ruled with an iron hand and that he ruled with a compassionate mind.

    Sanwo-Olu further described him as a great man with many parts, saying that the scope of his accomplishment was great, adding that he was a quintessential manager of resources.

    According to him, Johnson was a man with great foresight and a symbol of humility, fairness and justice and that he was in constant support of successive governments of Lagos State.

    “He was always willing to offer the right counsel. He was a regular feature of most of the ground-breaking events in Lagos State. his indelible reward for service remained intact and without blame. The projects he executed are still visible today,” he said.

    Earlier, former Governor of Lagos State and National leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had extolled the virtues of Johnson, describing him as a man of integrity.

  • Niger govt. mulls stadium completion before 2023

    Niger government will complete the abandoned N2.4 billion Minna new stadium project at Maikunkele before the expiration of the administration’s tenure in 2023.
    Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, Principal Private Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Monday in Minna.
    NAN recalls that the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Babangida Aliyu, started the project in 2013 but could complete before the expiration of his tenure.
    “I am a member of the high level committee, constituted by His Excellency, Alhaji Abubakar Bello, to make sure that Niger state government completes its new stadium.
    “So by the special grace of God, we will make sure that we complete the stadium before the end of this administration,” he said.
    Aliyu, who is also the new chairman of the state football club, Niger Tornadoes, noted that there was need for the state to own a modern stadium of international standards.
    Alhaji Baba Sheshi, Director of Sports, Niger Ministry of Sports Development, said that the 15,000 capacity stadium has space for future expansion.
    Sheshi said that the contract was awarded to a Chinese firm, Sun Way Steel Building Company, based in Abuja.

  • FG commissions 3,000-seat stadium in Daura

    FG commissions 3,000-seat stadium in Daura

    The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, on Thursday inaugurated the 3000-seat Daura mini stadium constructed to boost sports development in the area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stadium has a Football pitch, Basketball, Lawn Tennis, Fives and Badminton courts, among other facilities.

    Dalung said that the stadium was upgraded by his ministry as part of its plan to take sports to the grassroots.

    According to him, sports is not only about recreation but an avenue for job creation, international diplomacy and social integration.

    The minister said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to youth development through sporting activities, and providing scholarship opportunities for the youth to pursue education.

    In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State lauded the minister for renovating the stadium, saying it demonstrated Federal Government commitment to youth development.

    The governor disclosed that his administration had invested massively on sports development as a deliberate policy to engage the youth and tackle restiveness.

    Masari advised the youth to strive to excel in their chosen careers and pledged government support where possible.

    He said that the state government would maintain the facility and ensure its maximum utilisation.

    NAN reports that the stadium was formerly handed over to the state government by the minister for utilization and proper maintenance.

    The event was attended by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk and hundreds of youth.

  • 2019: You can’t use our Akpabio Stadium for campaigns, Akwa Ibom govt tells Buhari

    2019: You can’t use our Akpabio Stadium for campaigns, Akwa Ibom govt tells Buhari

    The Akwa Ibom State Government has explained why President Muhammadu Buhari campaign organisation cannot use the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for campaigns and other activities scheduled to take place on Friday.

    The dispute over the 30,000 capacity stadium started after the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) applied to the state government requesting for the use of the facility for the kick-off of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign on the Friday.

    The state government through the commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Monday Uko gave reasons the facility cannot be used for now.

    In a statement made available to reporters, Uko said: “The government of Akwa Ibom State has received with gladness the notice of the proposed visit of His Excellency, the President of the Federal

    Republic of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR, to our dear state on December 28, 2018.

    “Consequent to this proposed visit, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Akwa Ibom State is in receipt of a letter of application dated December 19, 2018, requesting for the use of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium as the venue for his reception ceremony.

    “Whereas we have sent a letter, dated December 20, 2018 in response to the application, addressed to Hon. Ini Okopido, the State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Akwa Ibom State, we are obliged, in light of the unfortunate attempt by some political actors and commentators to pit Akwa Ibom State Government against President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidency. May we inform Akwa Ibom people and the entire public, of the reasons for our inability to approve the use of the requested venue. As stated in our response, our inability is hinged on two grounds.

    “That the next season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is scheduled to begin on January 13, 2018. In view of this and the fixtures of home matches for Akwa United FC, it will be practically impossible to ‘regrass’ the stadium for pre-fixed matches, if used for non-sports activities, because of the nature of pressure that such events bring on the pitch.

    “Additionally, the maintenance contractor (Julius Berger) had also advised that the present atmospheric conditions being very hostile to the pitch, the facility should not be used for non-sport activities during this harmattan period, so as to avoid inflicting long term or irreversible damage to the grass on the football pitch.

    “This reason forced the relocation of the State’s Christmas Carols festival from the earlier proposed Godswill Akpabio International Stadium to the Uyo township Stadium. “Moreover, the stadium from its inception has been under a maintenance contract with Julius Berger Construction Company.

    “They operate all the sensitive and non-sensitive components of the facility. They had closed for the year and proceeded on vacation (as it has been their usual practice) and are due to resume on January 7, 2018. The implication of this is that, the technical capacity required to activate the venue is currently unavailable, and this is not within our control.

    “The ministry has however approved, in the alternative, the use of the Uyo Township Stadium for the event. We guarantee that the approved venue is in perfect condition”.

    Though the APC has not given issued any response to government’s position on the state, our correspondent gathered that the party may resort to the Uyo Township Stadium for the Buhari campaign.

    Spokesperson of the APC campaigns in the state, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh said “the party will do everything within its ability to give President Buhari a befitting reception in Uyo and also ensure that the campaign kick-off takes place peacefully and successfully.

    He, was however, silent on whether the party will insist on the use of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium for the event.

     

  • 2019: Okorocha shuns Imo APC guber campaign, allegedly blocks access to stadium

    2019: Okorocha shuns Imo APC guber campaign, allegedly blocks access to stadium

    The governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress(APC) kicked off on Friday in Owerri with Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha conspicuously missing.

    But the National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomole led other national officers of the party to the event.

    Members of the State Executive Committee of the party were also absent at the scantily attended ceremony.

    The usual crowd that attends APC gatherings in the state was missing as only supporters of the governorship candidate, Hope Uzodinma, gathered at his Campaign Headquarters along Okigwe road where the event held.

    Oshiomhole, who has been in a running battle with the Imo governor, accused him (Okorocha) of frustrating the APC candidate, an action he described as anti-party.

    He stated by denying the APC candidate use of the stadium, the governor has shown he is working against the party.

    But the Okorocha swiftly described claim he locked the stadium as false.

    Oshiomole said the stadium was built with tax payers’ money and not Okorocha’s personal fund, recalling how Okorocha cried out in 2011 when the then governor, Ikedi Ohakim, stopped him from using the stadium for his campaign.

    Oshiomhole also accused the governor of neglecting the people of the state with his style of governance.

    He said: “Let me appreciate the members of the National Working Committee for coming to join the governorship candidate of our party, we approach with one simple message.

    “It is a message of Hope, not a message of lamentation. I want you to listen because for me campaign is not about entertainment.

    “Today, we have come to deliver the message of Hope although things have gone wrong in the past.

    “We have come to return the government of Imo state to the great people of Imo state.

    “We have come to tell you that we have respect for you people. The next governor in the person of Senator Hope Uzodimma will restore all that have been destroyed.

    “Please Imo people cool temper. Today is a day to pass a message of Hope. Today we desire to talk to the young people especially to my fellow colleagues the civil servants.

    “The days are gone for a governor who will look at people and say there is money to do other things and not to pay civil servants”.

    He went on: “I want to tell you that those governors that were given money including the governor of Imo state that did not use it for that purpose will be retrieved.

    “Buhari has adopted Hope Uzodimma as the governor of Imo state. I want you to go and tell people what I said.

    “Nigeria needs to produce political leaders that have political concentration.

    “How will you believe that an APC governor will lock the stadium against an APC, governorship candidate?

    “It is the tax payers’ money that is used to build that stadium and not his personal money”.

     

  • Kick against irregular migration: Group takes campaign to stadium

    Kick against irregular migration: Group takes campaign to stadium

    Hundreds of youths have participated in a series of friendly football matches organised to raise awareness and provide viable alternatives to the menace of irregular migration amongst Nigerian youths.

    The friendly matches which featured exceptional play-off between six teams was organised by The Migrant Project on Sunday at the Ejigbo mini-stadium in Ejigbo, Lagos.

    According to the organisers, the football matches were aimed at taking the messages on the risks and realities of irregular migration to youths at the grassroot, in the spirit of the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    Starting off the matches was the play-off between two junior teams, the Golden Star FC and the Diamond FC. The match ended in 2 – 0 in favour of the Diamond FC.

    The senior category featured fiercely contested matches between Success FC and the Golden Star FC. The match ended goalless and resulted in a penalty shootout which was won by Success FC.

    Similarly, the Invincible FC played against the Bright Star FC, another senior match which ended in penalty shootout in favour of the Invincible FC.

    Team Lead, Local Migration Experts for The Migrant Project in Lagos, Olusoji Ajao said that the matches in Ejigbo are a part of the project’s programme lineup to expand the campaign against irregular migration in Lagos and Nigeria.

    He said “This is part of our robust community outreach programmes against irregular migration in Lagos. In coming days, we shall visit other locations in Lagos for several matches for both male and female football players and lovers.”

    According to the facility manager of the Ejigbo mini-stadium, Gbenga Popoola, the matches and awareness campaign are a timely intervention to enlighten several youths who have been a victim or intend to embark on irregular migration on the dangers of such act.

    Media officer for the project, Tayo Elegbede noted that over 1,000 people drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in the first six months of the year while hundreds of thousands are dead in the desert and many experiencing grave inhuman treatments in Libya in their quest to travel to Europe through irregular routes.

    He said “The Migrant Project is a behavourial change campaign, which aims to fill existing information gaps and enable Nigerians make informed decisions knowing that irregular migration is never a good option.”

  • Chelsea settle Stamford Bridge construction dispute

    Chelsea football club, can start work on a new £1bn stadium at Stamford Bridge after settling a dispute with a neighbour who objected to the construction.

    The Crosthwaite family took out an injunction in May 2017, saying the expansion to 60,000 seats would block light into their home.

    In January, Hammersmith and Fulham Council passed a motion to prevent the injunction blocking the plans.

    The club said on Wednesday they have reached an agreement with the family.

    Chelsea expect to be playing at Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2019-20 season and will be forced to play at an alternative venue likely to be Wembley Stadium for up to four years during the construction period.

  • Asaba township stadium: Delta Assembly approves Okowa’s N1.9bn request

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the request of N1.9 billion for the completion of Asaba township stadium brought to it by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The request of the governor was contained in a letter read during the plenary of the Assembly in Asaba by the Speaker of the House, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.

    Okowa said that in spite of the huge investment on the ongoing Asaba township project which was inherited from his predecessors, the project was yet to be completed.

    He said that his administration was determined to complete the project, adding that the project, when completed would boost sports activities in the state.

    The governor said that the contract was awarded at the cost of N1.9 billion with a completion period of four months ending in December 2017, based on the contractor’s finance arrangement.

    Okowa said that the state government would make payment to the contractor for a period of 18 months through an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO).

    According to Okowa, the State Executive Council at its 10th meeting which was held on June 20 and June 21 had approved the funding approach and issuance of the Irrevocable Standing Payment Order ISPO subject to the ratification of the State House of Assembly.

    Okowa, therefore, solicited for the support of the assembly for speedy completion of the project.

    Consequently, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere, who moved a motion for the House to receive the letter for further consideration said the letter was of necessity as it would further promote sports development in the state.

    He said that the state government was looking at alternative ways of funding projects in spite of the paucity of funds which should be encouraged.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote by the speaker.

     

    NAN