Why I’m building three stadiums - Senator Smart Adeyemi

The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Smart Adeyemi,   says he is sponsoring construction of three stadiums in his state to empower youths in the state.

Adeyemi, who spoke with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, explained that the 5,000 sitting capacity Kabba Stadium will upon completion host international and local events.

He also said that the Iyara Stadium was about 75 per cent completed while a large expanse of land had been acquired in Egbe town for the construction of a stadium there next year.

The lawmaker said, “The major project I have in mind to productively engage the youths is the construction of the 5,000-seater Kabba Stadium, the seats arrived in Kabba on Saturday. It has an Olympic-sized swimming pool, pitches for tennis and   basketball. It is going to compliment the state-owned stadium in Lokoja.

“There are facilities that could host local and international competitions there. The pitches are ready. We have concluded the fencing and plastering. Three out of the five pavilions are ready and roofed. The swimming pool is in progress. It will be an alternative stadium for competitions in Kogi State.

“The essence of spending money to build the stadiums is to use sports as a means of galvanising socio-economic activities of our people. It is also aimed at creating jobs and engage the youths in productive activity.”

He explained that his intention was that the sporting facilities would assist youths in his area to become international sportsmen and women in future and would return home with enough money to set up business that would equally engage the youths.

The development, he said, would bring development to the area stressing that he would use sports as a catalyst for galvanising socio – economic activities by jobs for the youths.

Adeyemi clarified that he was not in competition with the state government but was rather, complementing the state’s efforts in the area of sports development.

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