BY AGBONAVBARE UYIOSA
Plans are underway to give several Stadia and Sports facilities in Rivers State a facelift in line with the latest plans of the Rivers State Ministry of Sports to develop Sports in the State.
Revealing this, Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barr. Christopher Green identified the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Alfred Diette Spiff Sports Complex (Civic Centre), amongst others as some of the edifices earmarked for the exercise.
“The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium will undergo massive renovation,” Barr. Green said as he added that the facility will soon host football games sanctioned by Africa’s and the world football governing bodies, CAF and FIFA.
“The Yakubu Gowon Stadium will also undergo massive renovation. The Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre will also undergo massive renovation.
“The Basketball Stadium we have and other such facilities we have (in Rivers State) will also undergo massive renovation,” he said.
The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium was built in 2015 by the Rivers State Government in 2015 and will be undergoing a facelift of this magnitude for the first time.
Distinctively different from many Stadiums across the country, it houses a hockey pitch, a shooting range and 25 emergency exits, among other features that backs its boast as the most equipped stadium in Nigeria.
The Stadium was officially opened on 19 July 2015 with a 2016 Olympics men’s football qualifier between Nigeria and Congo.
Nigeria’s men’s U23 team won the Rio Olympics qualifier 2-1.
Virtually all necessary sports in the world could be done in the stadium as it has an aquatic centre that includes two Olympic-sized swimming and diving pools.
Also integrated in the stadium are two basketball courts, two tennis courts, two badminton courts, two handball courts, two indoor sports halls as well as hostels and administrative buildings.
This stadium is named after one of Rivers State’s former national footballer, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka.
It has a seating capacity of 38,000 with all stands covered. Two training pitches flank the main bowl and all pitches are adorned with natural grass.
