The recent certification of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium (Nest of Champions), Akwa Ibom State by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the only approved home ground for the national team, the Super Eagles’ international matches in Nigeria has been described as a justification of government’s investments in sports development over the years.
Governor Umo Eno made the assertion when he played host to a high-powered delegation of sports administrators in Nigeria, led by the president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, at Government House, Uyo.
Governor Eno appreciated the NFF for its recognition of government’s efforts in promoting sports in the state and specially commended CAF’s decision to certify the ‘Nest of Champions’ as the approved home for Nigeria’s Super Eagles and other international matches to be played in Nigeria, even as he paid glowing tributes to the immediate past leaders for their investments in sports development in the state.
To further the strides of the immediate past government of Udom Emmanuel, Governor Eno announced his administration’s plans to establish a Sports Academy in Eket to discover and nurture budding talents in sports in the state.
“This certification today has vindicated and justified the state’s investments in sports development. It is only The Nest of Champions that has been certified by the world football governing body to host such international events.
“We feel so privileged and we must at this point pay glowing tributes to the immediate past administration of Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. He led us well,” he said.
He, therefore, gave assurances of the state government in the successful hosting of international matches to be played in Uyo in the build-up to the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the 2026 World Cup, and affirmed his administration’s readiness to shoulder the responsibilities of the honour conferred upon the state by CAF.
According to Governor Eno, the maintenance of the Nest of Champions by a leading Nigeria-based German company, Julius Berger speaks of the premium government places on sports and assured of a renewal of the contract for another year.
Leader of the delegation and NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, acknowledged the excellent sports infrastructure in the state with the latest being the state-of-the-arts Eket and Uyo Sports Stadia and commended the efforts of several administrations in the state for a deliberate investment in sports.
Reaffirming that the state-owned stadium is the only stadium in Nigeria certified by CAF to host the international qualifier matches for the coming Nations Cup and World Cup, the NFF chairman expressed his appreciation for the anticipated support of the state government towards the success of the sports events, noting that it will further project Akwa Ibom on the global stage.
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