Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nasarawa State, Hon. Jafaru Ango, on Monday, visited the Lafia City Stadium to ascertain its status following a heavy downpour the previous day that saw water stagnating in some portions of the Stadium.
Accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, and Director of Facilities and Stadium Management, Yusuf Ahmad, the Commissioner noted that the playing turf was not affected after the rain as purportedly reported in some sessions of the Media, particularly the Social Media, but acknowledged that the torrential rain had pulled debris orchestrated by the high volume of water, which blocked the Stadium drainage channels, forcing water to settle down in some areas within the facility.
He explained that if the volume of water is higher than the drainage system could accommodate and water ways blocked, situations like was witnessed at the Stadium is eminent, especially when it concerns rainfall where man has little or no control over.
Ango, however, interfaced with the site engineers of Reform Sports West Africa, the Company responsible for the laying of the artificial grass on the football pitch of the Stadium, to proffer solutions, even though it was not within their job schedule as the drainage system of the Stadium was constructed by another Company, Triacta Nigeria Limited.
The Commissioner also took time to inspect the laying of artificial turf on the Hockey Field carried out by Reform Sports West Africa, where he expressed satisfaction with the progress of work.
He revealed that plans are on ground to transform the sitting terraces at the Popular Stands of the Stadium and expand the general sitting capacity to meet acceptable standard.
Ango would later visit players and officials of Nasarawa United Football Club who were training at the time to familiarize and encourage them to be steadfast ahead of the new football league season, calling on them to ensure that the Club returns to the Elite Domestic Football League, next Season.
